Evening star., 1914-04-23
NAVAL LBATTAuON'S
SERVICES OFFERED
Local Organization Head Says
They Can Move on Twelve
Hours Notice.

With the concentration of the Ameri-
can naval forces in Mexican waters ana
the possibility that additional officers and
men will be needed in the event the At
lantic reserve fleet, now at Philadelphia,
is called into commission IN mind, Com
mander Joseph A. Dempf commanding
the Naval Battalion Of the National Guard
of the District of Columbia, this morning
addressed a letter to the Secretary of the
Navy offering the services of this naval
militia for duties on the United States
ships in Mexican waters. The organiza-
ton now numbers thirteen officers and
lS5 enlisted men. However. 1t was de-
clared to be probable that in the event the
District naval militia is called out ITS
strength will be greatly increased.
However. Commander Dempf declared
that it was his desire to take only the
men who were familiar with the multi
tudinous duties on shipboard. His steam
engineering force is made up OF u raiiieu
mechanics well versed in the hanoins VI
all kinds Of naval machinery; ~hiie tne
deck and gun forces are maze up Prhi
c,pally of former regular service men.
Last wear the local militia was taken
tn sea aboard the battleship Alabama
one of the reserve fleet ships. anu t.ie
men were given regular watches, boeh
are thoroughly familiar with every part
of this ship, even with the guns they
operated in target practice In Gardlners
bay 1t was a matter OF comment men
from the regular officers apoaro ,le snaf
that a gun crew made up entirely OF
militiamen from the District Naval BAT
TALON made seven hits out of seven win
the ship steaming at ten knots IN
choppy sea-
Men Are Well Trained.
Commander Dempf is of the opinion
that every man now enlisted in his bat
TALON will back him up in the letter
which he sent to the Secretary onerins
the service of the local naval militia
mon They are we'll trained in conducting
landing forces and the greater part of
their drills during the year have peen
given to instruction in handing the 5-ihch
field artillery pieces
Their instruction received on the pattle-
shin Alabama last summer has been con-
tinied during the winter months by trips
down the river on the L. S. s. SYLVIA.
and the men are anxious to get aboard
the reserve ships. In fact, they were
looking forward with some anxiety 10
their Scheduled trip on the cruiser Ten
nessee. the flagship of the Atlantic re-
Since the Mexican troubles started. the
talk at the naval militia armory mas
been the poSS1Dlllty OF THEIR ueiiS eoiAou
out for service and many of them are
anxious to go.
Second Naval Force to Offer.
1.-THE naval militia of the District Of
Columbia" said Commander Dempfs let
ter to the Secretary of the Navy, ten
ders its services in the event of hostihues
with Mexico. This organization now
consists of thirteen officers and 13o en-
listed men. In the event the reserve
feet is called out this organization can
move on twelve hours notice"
The District of Columbia naval militia
and the naval militia of Massachusetts
are the only organizations which SO far
have rendered their services to the Navy
Department. The commanding officer OF
the Massachusetts organization called the
naval militia division of the Navy De
partment this morning and rendered the
services of that organization.
The various organizations and their
strength is to be compiled. it was de-
clared this morning, and in the event
that the movements in Mexico require
1t there is possibility that they will be
called out.