The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-12
WOULD IMPROVE
NAVAL MILITIA
Dr.. Stratton Thinks Nation
and State Should CO.
operate.
Says Only Patriotism Should
lmpel Request for
Ships.

According to Commander Samuel W.
StTatton. Of the District OF Columbia
naval militia, patriotic interests alone
should urge the members In Congress
from the Atlantic coast States TO ask
for an appropriation OF money for the
construction Of naval vessels OF modern
types for the naval militia of each
State. Following the construction of
such ships Commander Stratton thinks
that arrangement > sould be made by
the Navy Departures for effective CO.
operation between officers OF the reg
uIar navy and those Of the State naval
militia.
Commander StrattOu is Of the opinion
that such action is imperative for the
reason that the naval militia is we'll
known TO neeu much Improvement in
number OF ways, and especially be
cause the coast States would be the very
G-st TO suffer should complications arise
with soma foreign power which might
direct its attacks 20 the Atlantic coast.
For the past fifteen years Mr.. Stratton
has been advocating the Improvement
OF defenses along the Atlantic coast by
Increasing the efficiency Of the naval
militia forces.
THE Importance Of the naval militia
should our coast be attacked, cannot be
doubted. yet up TO the present time We
md this branch s0rrOwfulIy neglected.
When the naval militia gets the on
p9rtunity TO go to sea the Navy Depart
ment provides us with antiquated yes
sells which cannot DO used for anything
else and the drills are not given much
consideration By the department or look
ed upon as important by naval officers.
We get no real naval practice 20 speak
or are never included in the naval drills
or given an opportunity 20 follow mod
ern naval developments.
Sees Signs Of Awakening.
"A fair example OF the interest taken
by tie Navy Department in the naval
militia is shown by the fact that not
one naval Inilltaman is now with the
battlesEip feet.
Il am glad 10 see now, however. that
Mr.. NeWberTy, the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy, is taking an active interest
Ia improving tie naval militia OF each
state, and that he has arranged for the
naval militia 10 participate, If they wish,
in the coming maneuyers Of the aux
illary war craft under Commander
Marsh
The advantages OF this practice are
too evident 10 be talked about. There
are those who say that these modern
ships need skilled men 10 handle them.
which, OK course. Is true. but there isl
no reason why A naval officer could not
be placed in command OF any modern.
up 10 date snip which the naval militia
might have. He couid have a compile
uent OF men II necessary 10 help out,
but. by being on board. by witnessing
and participating I'm the work and above
al by drilling with naval ships, these
militia men could vastly improve their
Maine. New Hampshire, AIaszacbu-
sets. Connecticut Rhode Island, New
YORK, Pennsylvania, Maryland. North
Carolina, South Carolina. Georgia.
Florida, Alabama Mississippi I0uisi-
ana and Texas AN have interests which
are dependent upon sea forces 20 pro-
tect against naval attack on this side
Of the continent
Urges States to Act.
why cannot these States realize that
il is OF distinct interest to them TO con
tribute 10 an effective form Of home
defence; They should therefore urge
that Congress provide a separate yes
sci for each state naval militia which
would drill men and add TO the efee-
tiVeneSS OF home defence.
There would be no need of large yes
sells Tor the naval militia. Vessels OF
moderate size. II modern, would be suf-
lictout for the drill Of the men. Au1iI-
laries or torpedo boat destroyers should
be provided
There is no doubt whatever that Mr..
NeWberry's idea of permitting the naval
militia and naval vessels 10 CO-operatt
IS an excellent one. There has been
altogether too little cooperation In the
past. When the success Of this ex-
pertinent is shown 1 believe the Navy
Department will continue TO advocate
joint maneuvers for the future"
The Improvement Of the naval militia
is advocated by pr. Strattou and meets
with the approval of many naval Off
GERS in the service. Many officers have
had the idea of cooperation bet ween
the naval militia and navy for some
time. but have not openly expressed
their views Now that Mr. Newberry
has taken the lead and Commander
Marsh is busy preparing for the ma
neuVCrS they openly indOrse the plan.