New-York tribune., 1907-11-29
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Training National Guard in Use of
<frtiUerY.
Hmm Ths .r-intlr-a Eureal .


Washington November g.
GUNS FOR THE AIILITLA.-Generai Murray,
cheI Of artillery, who is ever the alert to pro-
mote the efficiency Of the coast defence artillery is
already preparing plans for the cooperation Of the
state militia with the artillery corps in the coming
eucampmeut season This experiment put into
cperation last year with unqualified success, and
the practice In The coast fortifcations aroused the
greatest Interest among the militiamen. \ por-
uon or tho GuardSInen needed, however, 70
protect the Of the coast .ortihcati9ls and as
this work diI involve the handling cf the big
guns, range finders and similar paraphernala Il
dld not prove equally attractive militia
panes assigned to the work. General Murray IS
now preparing to urge the coast 70 organize
coast defence militia, with the same company for
nation as the regular artillery, with certain com-
panies assigned 10 rear guard work. To make this
work more interesting. however. as well as 10 make
the rear guard more efficient he is making prepara-
tions 10 supply militia companies who undertake
the duty with artillery guns. field pieces. machine
guns and 5-inch rapid fire guns. To this end an
order has already been placed for two hundred
Fickers-Maxim machine guns The chief of artil.
lery has also suggested the Secretary of War tho
assignment of certain batteries in established forti-
ncauons TO the militia. The guardsmen under this
plan, would be able TO lIold weekly drills In tho
fortifcatious. and here possible they would have
a suitable building for aunory AMI "A moetiu;
place for the men. It is purposed TO make an cx-
pertinent Of this character At Fort Wddsworth, and
II that Is successful the policy viii he extended
Inc elplC! lneAt OF the Held pieces machine guns
ana rapid nTe weapons by the militia assigned -
rear guard duty Will add greatly 10 the zest apc in
terest OF the summer encampment work Of tho
militia, and men who have hitherto used only tho
infantry drill will learn the artillery tactics as well
WILL INSPECT NEW YORK ARTILLERY
Colonel David L. Austen Of the 18th New YORK
Heavy Artillery has invited General Arthur MIr-
ray chief or artillery, inspect his regiment on
me night Of December q, ANA General Murray
mas accepted the invitation with pleasure Tho in
spection will be made at the BROOKLYN armory Of
the 18th Artllery.. General Murray IS & firm be-
never In the efficacy militia a-tllle.r aIthoucl.
MS confidence IN its efficiency is not shared by
many other members Of the General Siarr. He is
moreover the only member OF the staff who has
PuiSueC the policy OF bringing tho regular troou5
and the national guardsiaen into close contact snd
his success in this work has asonished his brother
officers
NAVAL WAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 20 tho an
nual report Of Charles ". Stewart superintendeut
or the library and naval war records the latter
pIp.lciloh mas now reached the most interesting
period Of the war from q naval point If ,-ieyy
NoIumes . to 26 inclusive have now been compiled
ana they include the operations of the Union sud
Confederate naval forces on the Missss ppi River
ana tributaries, phase of operations not before
published. The usual rate Of publication has not
been maintained. mainly for the reason that an
unusual amount OF research has been necessary I'm
examining and collecting information regarding the
early inception and operation OF the naval forces
IN Western waters. and the unavoidable confusion
OF historical information relating the rapid con-
struction. equipment and assembling OF ironclad
vessels IN both naves- Mr.. Stewart suggests that
the records OF the American navy in Colonial times
III the Revolutionary War, the actions at sea
against the French navy the war with TripoIi tbs
ar Of Sl2. operations against pirates in tho West
Indies. the Mexican War and other United States
naval operations should be collected and arranged
Tor publication.
ARMY NEEDS POLO PoNIEs-It VIII not be
possible to buy polo ponies FOR the army out Of the
regular appropriations for military supplies for
army animals SoIne such suggestion was made
by those who deslrous OF having these ponies
bought at government expense for the benefit OF
inc physical exercise and training In horsemauship
which Will be possible by having games of noIo
at the army posts. This is done AZ West Point
the ponies being supplied by the army. but there
= for this purpose appropriation which NAV
be drawn upon. 1t has been decided that tho ac-
qulsiton Of POLO ponies cannot be authorized zen
orally despite the admitted advantage to those
who play polo Il viii take 4 special provision or
law to authorize any draft the quartermaster's
department appropriation FOR the purchase OF such
ponies.