New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-12
SOLDIERS SEIZE PALS.
Men Of Seuenth Regiment Thought
Call to arms an Alarm of Fire.

Had an attack been made last night on Fort
Nadsworth the hostile party would have been
met by deadly rain from fire buckets in the
hands of the members of the 18th Regiment. At
SO2 o'clock Colonel Crawford sounded the call
10 arms For some reason the 7th. which was
being used a back guard 1nistook the call for
one 10 fire duty. The militiamen accordingly
took fire stations. armed with terrible fire
buckets and extinguishers. and prepared to aid
the regulars and the 18th, which with the 7th
are protecting the city this week. in repelling an
attack
The mistake soon discovered and the
Quakeresque appearance of the men changed to
one less in harmony with peace conference ideas
but probably more effective in case of an ener-
gency such as the call to arms was supposed 10
be.
AS II stood, however nothing more serious
resulted than putting the 7th in a Iudicrous
light with the regulars and the men Of the 18th
The other nltiamen enjoyed the situation more.
perhaps, than did the regulars Both the 18Th
and the regulars say they have not been made
as welcome in the quarters Of the 7th as they
think they should be They say they
have been made TO fee! that their room was
more desired than their company. Consequently
the little slip Of the 9TH was the cause for much
Tnirth among the old soldiers
The call TO arms meant nothing one Is 70
be sounded some time during every night Of the
tour Of duty. The 18th was depIoyed back Of the
fort 10 ward off a land attack and inform the
artilerymen II their rear was in danger
All day yesterday. from early morning until
late at night the state troops were hard at
work at Fort Wadsworth. The 18th Heavy Ar
tillery spent most Of the time in sub-calibre
practice with the 10-inch guns The 7th worked
at drill and outpost duty, There was a review
Of the troops by Major Lydecker in the evening
in honor of Colonel Crawford. the commandant
at the fort.
slight accident occurred during the sub
calibre practice In loading gun No. l Fort
Ayres the breach was not locked correctly and
the projectile exploded inside the gun No
damage done, but the practice delayed
for half hour.
Owing TO lack Of time the firing was omitted
by the regulars, and the state troops took entire
charge. Their craftsmanship was considered
good by the regulars. a percentage Of 20 hits
out Of 100 being registered. The practice yes
terday was fixed targets. but to-day moving
targets Will be used.
Last night the battleship squadron renewed
its attempt TO get past the forts and enter the
harbor. 1t IS reported that they were repulsed-
On Monday night several attacks were made.
At $50 o'clock there was demonstration with
the battleshps and division on one flank with
the destroyer fotilla. while the torpedo hotilIa
tried to make a landing to attack the search
lights and put them out of action The search
lights operated TO great advantage. a battle
ship being picked out at q distance OF $500
yards. According to the percentage tables OF
the value Of hits. four batteships, three de-
stroyers and two torpedo boats were put out Of
action. being blown up by a mine. one
DESTROYER and two torpedo boats were not ac-
counted for, and II is thought probable that they
accomplished their purpose and riddled the roofs
of a few Park Row skyscrapers.
This, Of course as the regulars explain It, is
considered entirely hypothetical 1t is what is
called in navy circles a kind Of krieg spiel
The purpose OF these exercises is to give an OBJ
ject lesson to National Guard troops co-opera-
ting with coast artillery, and Is regarded as OF
material assistance in developing the weak
points Of the defence. No actual firing. even
with blank shells has yet been done. The
attacks Of the first three nights are n prelim-
mary Of the ability Of the artillery quickly
to spot and train the guns upon an attacking
ship Tomorrow and Friday nights there Will
be actual firing. Then some interesting phases
Of attack and defence are expected.
The infantry will cooperate with the ar
tilery as an attack by land is expected. Great
nreparation is being made for defence. -Ycster-
OF the 9TH were reconnoitoring the territory for
miles about the fort. Major Lydecker in COM
ma nd OF The 18th at the fort. said that the men
were rnomentary lettering their defence, and
expected TO annihilate the attacking forces.
colonel era awford yesterday received official
nGffco Of the visit Of Governor Hughes and his
sraY 70 the fort tomorrow. 1t is expected that
where the state troops are encamped Fort
ccb:vler Fort Wadsworth Fort Hamilton and
I-ort rotten on his arrival the Governors
sslrto OF seventeen guns will be fired.