New-York tribune., 1908-02-14
NEW MILITIA DIVINION.
Expected to Proue of Much Benefit
to National Guardsmen.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau ]

Washington Feb. 13-Confdence is expressed at
the War Department that the establishment of the
militia division will cause much qualification
to national guardsmen throughout the country
This is in fact a step they have been urging
since 1903. For number of years General oliver.
the Assistant Secretary Of War has had special
charge of militia affairs. having perhaps been
selected for the post he fills largely because of his
wide knowledge of the militia.
With the enactment of the Dick -Capron bill the
relations of the national guardsmen and the reg
uar army began to grow more intimate, and as 1t
is expected that legislation will soon be enacted
requiring the War Department to furnish to the
militia. under certain prescribed conditions, their
entire equipment, the relations seem destined to
become still more extensive. Ever since the Span
ish it has been the purpose and aim of the
Secretaries of War closely to unite the state
militia and the regular army, and that end is being
rapidly attained, that in the event of war the
federal government would have at Its command, in
addition the small regular army, presumably
perfectly trained. large force of volunteers. whose
training in conjunction with the regulars has been
considerable and whose equipment will be perfect.
making them a valuable force ready for mobza
tor almost promptly as the regulars.
The efforts of General Murray chief of artillery,
to obtain effective volunteer adjunct to the
coast defence corps and the success which has
attended those efforts, have been described in
these dispatches. Throughout the work in that
direction Colonel Weaver who is appointed chief
of the militia division, has been assistant chief
of artillery, and has co-operated effectively with
General Murray. Moreover, Colonel Weaver has
heretofore been designated to assist General
Oliver In militia affairs and has accompanied the
Assistant Secretary to number of militia con-
ventions. Weaver who supervised the Or
ganiZation of coast defence militia In Massachu-
setts and has done much to promote the effective
coast defence militia organization recently or
dered in the New York National Guard His
selection as chief Of the militia division was
therefore logical, and in the opinion of the chief
of staff the Assistant Secretary of War and the
chief of artillery promises well for the success
of the division.
Colonel Weaver is officer Of unusual capacity
for organization, of pre-eminent ability and good
Judgment and he possesses kindliness and genial
itv which will go far make his work sue
cuessful," said General Murray. speaking of his
former assistant, to-day. 1T is with extreme re-
gret that I lose Colonel Weaver from my bureau.
but appreciate that the Secretary and the general
staff could not have chosen more wisely"
The duties of the division will embrace the
supervision tho armament equipment, discipline,
training. education and organization of the militia,
the conduct of camps of instruction and participa-
ton in the field exercises and maneuvres of the
regular army. and the mobilization and the rela-
tions of the militia to the regular army in time of
peace.