The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-20

the naval militia organizations Of the
states on the seacoast. I have also
recommended an increase In the appro-
priation for the Naval Militia as a
whole OF S60.737. The naval militia
has made great strides this year, and
II is the policy OF the Department to do
everything In it's power to increase the
efficiency OF the officers n men there
enrolled. which would make an excel
lent reserve In time Of need.
In order to provide a sufficient mum.
Der OF men to man the large number OF
ships of the navy which will be COM
missioned in the near future 1 hsve
recommended an increase one year
OF $500 sailors. $500 apprentice sea-
men and 1900 marines. or 1880 men
in all. This number, II Is estimated, will
enable us to keep in full commission all
battleships under Is years OF age, all
destroyers and submarines under -
years OF age. one-half the number Of
cruisers. all the %gunboats and the neces-
sary auxiliaries for the fleet. as we'll as
to provide adequate reserve compile
ments for the remaining vessels OF mill.
tary value and for the shore stations.
all OF which accords with recommended
lions of the general board.
The great majority Of enlisted men
must, rs apprentice seamen, pass through
the naval training stations. where they
are taught the rudiments Of education
and undergo preliminary training. last
Ing from four to six months. to prepare
them for duties aboard ship. II has be-
come necessary. therefore, owing to the
larger number OF men in the service.
to increase the number of apprentice
seamen In order to provide the flow OF
new men required to All vacancies In
the ranks as they occur.
The increase In the marines IL based
on n 20 per cent increase Of enlisted
men of the navy and In required to pro-
vide FOR the usual marine compliments
OF ships under construction. as well as
for advance base organizations for op-
erations with the fleet. To officer these
additional men II Is recommended that
there be appointed one Brigadier-Gen-
eral TO command the advance base regi-
ments, two Colonies. two Lieutenant
Colonies. six Majors, one Colonel and As
sistant Q-uartermaster. - Captains, IA
First Lieutenants, 10 Second Lieuten-
ants. Is warrant officers. 6 quartermas-
ters' clerks, I paymaster's clerk, or 81
commissioned and 90 warrant officers.
This increase In officers Is in accord
ance with the established ratio between
officers and men.
There should also be an increase in
IN" number or line Officers 10 oNlcer the
ships soon TO be commissioned hut as the
Naval Academy ~ the only source Of
supply the increase recommended is In
the midshipnen. Under the existing laws
governing the appointment OF midship-
men the Naval Academy will not be able
TO graduate midshipmen in numbers suf-
ficient to officer the additional ships
contemplated IN the new programme n
will be made to In
crease rhe number OF midshipmen at
the academy by not less than ESQ.
The European war has shown the
necessity for a skilled fying corps whose
need not be experienced naval
Officers or educated as such. In view
of which a special flying corps, to which
civilian hiers may be appointed.
Nen recommended for the naval or
ganization. This would establish n
field for service for the increasing num-
her OF competent aviators willing to
join such an arm OF the service who
cannot ami could not hope. under pre-
vailing conditions. TO do so unless they
either enlisted in the navy proper or
graduated from the Naval Academy"