Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-11
Naval militia Invited 10 Take Part
With Auxiliary Graft.
EXTENSIVE DRILLS THIS SUMNER
Officers Believe Men Should Be Train.
cd in Division, Squadron and Fleet
Formatlon-Future Battles VIII Be
by vcaaelo Acting as Fleet Unit.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. March TO-
Truman IL. Ncwberry. assistant-sec-
rotary OF the navy. has addressed n
letter to the governors OF states on
the Atlantic coast which have naval
militia inviting the militia to take
part in the torpedo boat and subma.
rlnc manoeuyres to be held in Gard
ner's Bay next spring. This Is one
OF the most important steps in the
program now being given serious cou
sideration of providing additional pro-
lection for the Atlantic coast.
II is confidently expected the cover
nors will seize the opportunity to
give the militia practice II can get
only on naval craft. II Is explained
that the state militia, who have train
Ing each year on some of the smaller
Vessels of the navy. do not gain tho
material advantage they would get BY
taking part in fleet drill. They un-
derstand naval training only as far rs
the unit ship goes. but get practically
none or the more valuable defence
drill which naval officers unanimous
~ agree IL to he had in fleet forma.
tlon
Plans now leng worked out by
Commander Charles c. Marsh. who
VIII command the auxilitry fleet OF
torpedo boat destroyers. torpedo boats
and submarines. are largely for fleet
drill. Naval officers have been for
some time dlscreditlng the value OF
single drill. until practically none be-
lieves in training crews of vessels Of
any kind TO fight in units.
Ships Must Fight Together.
In reference TO rehcarsals for bat
tie Lieutenant Commander Yates
Stirling recently said:
The day OF single ship engage
ments Is passed. and our answer Will
convey with 1t the meaning that our
ships are being trained to fight TO.
gether; that this training not only
perfects the ship. but crystalizes the
team work. which Is necessary to fight
n number of ships az unite"
This Is the cardinal idea that i'm
presses on the navy department the
naed OF training tho state militia on
such lines M are made necessary nv
iiect manocuvres.
1t ia pointed out that much OF the
most important work the militIamen
would be called upon to do Ia not
shown them in practical way when
they work on one vessel. Rehearsal
for battle drill Is by no means simple
ana cannot he explained on paper.
There are many minor details of
which the men must have practical
knowledge before they can expect TO
understand the workings of the divi.
sion. squadron or fleet formation. All
of these drills will be carried on by
the smaller war craft. launches and
other vessels taking the place OF the
vessels which Congress Is being urg.
ed to provide.
To Study Signals.
Another important item which must
be considered If tho militia Ia called
upon to work with the navy Ia the
new system of battle signals which
can only be demonstrated where there
are several vessels
II Ia said today that, so far ms
known. sentiment In the coast states
is decidedly in favor of having tho
naval militia not only cooperate with
the navy in the forthcoming ma
noenvres hut make regular practice
or going through the same drill with
us improvements two or three times
a year.
The naval militia. 1t Is felt. has re-
ceived too little training in the lines
Tor which II is adapted. In many in
slances its officers have complained
OF their lack of opportunity to develop
along the lines of their work. This
vessels assigned them are sometimes
not the best; they make a cruise
winch proves more of "sea sick
test than "sea Fighters" test, with
the result that the men return with
out having had an opportunity to I'm