Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-17
the battalion embarks on it's cruise or
the armored cruiser Tennessee.

the battalion embarks on it's cruise on
the armored cruiser Tennessee.
X X
The Sd Division is still leading the
others in the recruiting campaign
which was started some time ago The
number who entered this division alone
last Thursday night reached seven
making the total number now In the
division f1fty-one Orders have been is
sued by Commander Dempf that by
July 9 next each Of the four divisions
of the battalion must have at least sixty
men.
The men Of the I'd Division are en-
thusiatsic about their division and are
doing everything possible to keep 1t from
falling without the provisions OF the law;
They do not want to see 1t mustered
out because of its failure to obtain the
required sixty. and with the date set
nearly two months off they feel con-
fident that they will have by July
more than the required number OF men.
Even with its enthusiasm the third has
its troubles, and when plans were being
made to take the Sylvia out Sunday y
was with difficulty that members of the
engineers division could be found to as
sist them by manning the engines. Some
Of the members were so anxious TO make
the trip that they declared they would
give up their deck duties and go down IN
the flreroom to fire the engines If the re-
found.
Il
Under the direction Of Ensign Paul
Thompson, 4th Division, the steam launch
assigned to the Naval Battalion will be
given a thorough overhauling. Her
pumps are in need of repairing and these
will be put In first-class condition, when
the launch will be ready for regular prac-
tice work for the summer. The other
small boats of the battalion which have
been locked during the winter months
also are to be put overheard within a
short time.
Although It probably will be some time
before the U. S. s. Wasp. the naval yes
sci to be assigned to the local naval mill
tia. arrives in Washington, the local sail
ormen have been equipped with cap rib
bons bearing in gold u. S. 8. Wasp.
When the ribbons we're first ordered II
was proposed to have on them Naval
Militia, D. c." but when word was re-
ceived that the Wasp was to come here
the order was changed so that the ribbons
would bear the ships name.
The Isla de Luzon. which was to have
relieved the Wasp from duty with the
New York naval militia for assignment
to Washington, was not placed in full
commission, but was placed in commits
she may not go to Mexico. In that event
1t might be that the Wasp will arrive in
Washington before the close Of the sum-
mer.
Under the command of Commander Jo-
seph A, Dempf the local naval battalion
participated in the parade Yesterday in
connection with the statue Of Commodore
John Barry. 1t being the only militia or
ganization which took part In the pa
rade It was given a place In line just
behind the sailor boys from the y; 5. :;
Mayfiower Three of the divisions turned
out as infantry, while the Sd Division
turned out as field battery.
More than half of the members of the
Naval Battalion have volunteered to
take a trip to Mexico this summer on
one Of the gunboats Of the United States
Navy without pay; The The, men .a W Will be De
week to return and three weeks service
in Mexican waters. Commander Dempf
at muster last Thursday night. said that
he was asked by the Navy Department
to sound the men out to ascertain how
many would desire to make the trip
under such conditions
He declared that the department was
now looking up the question to ascertain
whether or not 1t was legal, under the
new law, to send the men there without
pay, even though their expenses would
be paid from the time they left their
homes In Washington 1t is proposed
to ask all Of the naval militia organiZa-
lions of the country to send men If 1t is
found that it is legal to make the offer
However. the Washington naval militia
was picked out by Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt Of the Navy Department to
sound out its members to ascertain how
many would be willing to go under the
conditions offered.
During the present week. Commander
Dempf expects to inform Assistant Sec
rotary Roosevelt Of the results of his
inquiry. and 1t is expected that the de-
partment will make an announcement
within a short time. This service Will
be in addition to the annual exercises
on the armored cruiser Tennessee