New-York tribune., 1907-04-18
NETWORK NAN GUVRES
General STAFF Disappointed OUer
State Officers attitude.
frrom The Tribune Rursan.l

GFrom The Tribune Bureaul
washington. April 1.-THE War Department is
eorsly disappointed at the continued refusal of
the New York National Guard to cooperate with
the General stan in the plan for furthering the
protection Of New York City against the at
tack OF an enemy. Every state having coast de-
fences TO man, with the exception of New York.
has responded with alacrity 10 the invitation OF
,be department to cooperate with the regular
army in maneuvres having for their purpose the
manning OF the coast defences In one instance.
that OF Alabama, the officers OF the National
Guard have expressed the utmost disappointment
that all of their men. because OF the destruction
10 Fort Morgan. viii not have opportunity for
practice Of this character.
Nothing has been heard from New York since
the receipt Of the letter OF Major General Charles
F. Roe Announcing that because Of the unwilling
ness of the commanding officers OF the 18th Regi-
nent coast artillery and the 9Th Regiment of In
fantry 10 break their regmental formation, he is
unwilling TO recommend that participation in the
coast defence practice which had been planned by
the Chief of Artillery. General Arthur Murray.
General Murray described to-day the plan which
he had worked out with great for further pro-
fectior Of New York against attacks from
emy, this plan being the practical development OF
the theory FOR rendering the militia effective which
was conceived by EIihu Root when he Secre-
tary Of War. The present force Of coast artillery
IS only half sufficient 10 the guns and mines
now installed, and General Murray determined
ask the New York National Guard to assign to
Forts Schuyler. Totten, WadswQrth and Hamilton
respectively. National Guardsmen equal in num-
her 10 the regular forces stationed these forts
and also. IN addition a sufficient number OF in
fantry companies for each fort 10 constitute
edeQuate rear guard
II this way each militiaman assigned 20 the
ersl forts would have, in effect a regular artillery
man 10 train him, while the infantry companies
would be trained IN the duties which in time OF
would naturally fall TO a guard. 1t
General Murray's purpose invite the par,iclpa-
ton OF the same companies OF militia the same
forts al each annual encaulpment or manoeuvre. so
that were war to come were hostilites hreat-
ened a simple order 10 man the forts as al the
last maneuvTes would operate fully TO man every
fort. each with trained in the duties they
would be called upon 10 perform. with the guns
they had been accustomed 10 handle and in sur
Youndings with which they were entirely familiar
Such an order could be complied with almost in
stantly There would be no problems OF transporta-
tioE, equipment or commissary 10 be worked out
and while large army Of resistance was being or
ganized, equipped and modified the coast defenoes
would be amply and effectively manned. The ne
cessity OF a rear guard grows out OF the modern
method OF constructing and maintaining forts For
rnerly fort consisted Of circle. triangle or other
complete figure which could be defended on all
sides by the guns mounted therein. Modern coast
defences, however consist merely Of guns mounted
70 repel attack. usually from the sea or har-
oor while the IS left entirely unprotected. In
time OF war, therefore, il will be necessary TO en-
ploy infantry protect the rear Of such defences
from the attacks OF landing parties and 10 that
end General Murray planned that certain COM
panies OF infantry be assigned to each fort there
10 become familiar with the duties they would be
called upon to perform in actual warfare
The wealth Of New York and its ease Of access by
foreign navy make il the most natural point OF
attack, and il is a source OF amazement as well
as OF disappointment that the New York National
Guard should be the in all the country to
decline 10 cooperate IN programme which has
1or its object the protection the great citv and
VadeF.
The plan worked out 0y General Murray called for
three companies Of militia to artillery
and two 10 act as rear guard at Fort Schuyler ive
companies TO act as artillery ana two guard
az crl 4olte ANe companies 70 act artillery and
nve as rear guard al Fort Wadsworth. and four
companies 10 act as artillery and SIX rear guard
al Fort Hamilton. the companies called %
companies Of regular artillery now assigned TO
these forts.
The most careful study OF the problem by the
cllei or artillery reveals o method whereby the
rcslfneIt3l formation Or lhe New York militia NAV
le preserved and This scheme put into ouerati0n
Moreover, Were regiment assigned 10 a single tort
II would be as little competent handle the guns
and properly TO the il would TO handle
= modern battieship. on the other hand, with an
equal COMPLEMENT q regulars TO train the militia
the efficiency OF the latter could be rapidly de-
Frl0pfd.
OF course. the fact is that New York should have
z corps or coast artillery, OrEanizea with the
formation the regulars. Such formation would
oJyate the necessity desiTabiliTy II ring
each colonel colonel's command. would pre-
department IN its efforts 10 further the military
protection Of New York Massachusetts has al
j. the earnest hope OF the general stan that New
York viii appreciate the chance Of doing the same.
Under the DICK act Il would be compulsory that
slch CORPS be organized along precisely the same