The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-03
Big NAVAL RESERVE
ABOUT TO Be RAISED
$4,000 Officers and Men De-
signed to Form an Emer-
gency Corps.
ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS

Of a trained naval reserve that is ex-
pected In time to expand into a body
OF at least $4,000 ME is contemplated
In a plan which Is about to be put into
effect by the Secretary Of the Navy.
This plan. which was worked out by
Franklin D.. Roosevelt OF New York.
Assistant Secretary OF the Navy. is a
part OF the programme Of the Admins
tration TO prepare the Government for
the time when 1t may be called upon
TO wage a war. 1t provides for the or
ganization OF various elements which
are considered n natural reserve from
which the navy could draw in time OF
emergency to supplement the regular
forces.
The Roosevelt plan provides that the
proposed reserve shall be made up of
retired officers and enlisted men OF the
navy. OF the men identified with the
coast guard and the lighthouse ser
vices OF the Federal Government, the
harbor police In the various cities and
those identified with the various state
naval training schools.
II also contemplates voluntary en-
listment by civilians. and provides meas
ures whereby merchant vessels. private
yachts and power boats may be i'm
pressed into service I'm time OF need with
the naval militia.
Distinct Reserve.
This particular reserve. at least for
the present. will be distinct and sep
arate from the state militia organize
lions. II will embrace such cnlistments
AS occur under the authority OF the pro-
vision In the last naval bill creating
a reserve made up OF enlisted men who
are compensated I'm proportion TO their
terms In active service.
The plan for an additional reserve
made public to-day provides for a vol
untary service pure and simple. but
naval officials are hopeful hat congress.
possibly at the forthcoming session. will
put the reserve or a pay basis.
In announcing the new plan Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt said that pro-
visional war plans have long been drawn
as a part OF the regular duty Of the
service. and that these plans contem-
plate a material increase In officers. men
and vessels In case OF Emergency
Mr.. Roosevelt enumerated just how
such a reserve ould be created as fol-
lows:
IL. The organization Of retired OFF,
GERS already exists, and a step toward
securing a reserve OF former enlisted
men was taken last spring by Congress.
While the results OF this legislation have
not been large during the two months
1t has been in effect, ITO men having
enrolled up TO September l. 1915, II ~
believed that al increasing number OF
men. whose enlistments expire. will take
advantage Of the opportunity offered
and II is already having the effect OF
increasing the number Of re~enlistmen,s.
"2. This means the coordination OF
the coast guard. that Is. the revenue
cutter Inc life saving services, the
lighthouse service. the coast survey, the
State nautical training schools. harbor
police. sc. IN such manner as TO tit
readily into the navsl service at short
notice. Little legislation Is necessary
10 accomplish this. and the organiza-
tion OF this work is already under way
-. II is believed that the reserve Of
personnel should total 10000 officers
and men. What is particularly desired
is not merely numbers. but individuals
who will be capable OF doing the highly
specialized service which exist In mod
ern navies. For instance. I'm war time
the navy would need the services uf
possibly 1900 additional radio opera
tors II would require local pilots for
inside waters. helmsmen, gunners, gas
olene motor experts, signal men, &c, be-
sides. OF course. first class seamen.
The Department has had :rany
letters asking whether an opportunity
could he given to individuals TO take
courses Of training in these specialtles,
and II the general plan Is approved u
is hoped that next summer courses OF
instruction can be started. using re-
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