New-York tribune., 1907-04-20
MILITIA In FORTS.
War Department disks assistance
from Governor Hughes.
[From rhe T,rlbune Rureau. ]

Washington. April 19,--The War Department has
appealed to Governor Hughes TO assist In carrying
out the plan giving the militia tour Of practice
IN the defences OF New York Harbor. outlined
IN The Tribune yesterday. Acting Secretary
Oliver is still endeaVoring to obtain the co-opera-
ton OF the New Workers. and that the people may
know the facts has made public the correspond
ence between the War Department and the New
York State authorities.
The plans for the point drills were submitted to
the Governor OF New York March Il. particu-
larly pointing out that the various troops assigned
10 the coast artillery would have two distinct
classes OF duties-one in the state infantry and
the other under tho United States coast artillery,
in the latter capacity putting aside temporarily all
connections relations with organization OF a
higher unit than the company. Adjutant General
Roa Of New York declined the War Departments
invitation because the colonel OF the 18th Regi-
ment. heavy artillery, reported that the scheme
would result in serious disadvantage through the
breaking up OF the regimental organization. that
not more than 80 per cent OF the Guardsmen would
attend, and that the forts were so near at hand
that those going would meet with continued re-
quests from their employers to excuse the men.
Says General Roe: mo language I could use
would be adequate 20 express my disapproval Of
the scheme" The colonel OF the 9TH Regiment OF
infantry also found objections TO the plan.
Major General Roe recommended to the Cover
nor that no coast artillery be sent as a reserve
and no Infantry supports" Acting Secretary
Oliver referred these communications to the chief
OF artillery, and General Murray indorsed them in
part, follows;
While It is to be regretted that the State Of New
York has no troops which can participate IN the
Joint army and militia coast defence exercises
without prohibitiVe sacrifices OF efficiency and
spirit the fact remains that regtmental organZa-
lions have proper relation, administrators or
tactical, 10 the needs Of artillery service
it Is therefore, impossible for the chief artillery
TO recommend that regiments be assigned units
TO this service under the command Of their own
regimental field officers.
1t thought that a reginental organization
would be sufficiently elastic to allow detRchments
to be made for the defence OF separated forts, like
Totten and Schuyler and Hamilton and Wads-
worth.
If It is possible TO arrange to have Independent
companies for artillery reserves, the sizes OF the
artillery supports could be modified within certain
limits but IL the former Is not practicable II Is
recommended that the exercises be not attempted
this year IN the Eastern and Southern artillery dis
tricts OF New York
Replying to-day 10 Governor Hughes. Acting
Secretary oliver expressed the hope that New York
viii fail TO respond because OF the unfortunate
conditions that apparently exist IN the regiments
IN question and that there may be organizations in
the willing volunteer carry out the plans
adding: "The department IS loath to believe that
New York alone, with its admirable National
Guard. viii fail to meet the request OF the de-
partment because the conditions necessarily de-
manded do not meet the Views of the two orBaniza-
tions specified. 1t is hoped by the department that
7th Regiment would be the one above all others
which might be willing TO assist the department IN
carrying the plans proposed for the defence or
New York Harbor
Albany April 19.-Governor Hughes said tonight
that he had received the letter from Assistant Sec
retary Oliver relative to New York regiments in
connection with regular army matters. but declined
70 comment on It at present