The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-06-25
AID GIVEN nation
BY NAVAL MILITIA
Object for Which Service Was
Organized Has Been Ac.
compIished.
MEN FAIRLY WELL TRAINED
Result Of Policy Carried Out 10 That
Uncle Sam Has Large Force Cap
able Of Schooling New
Sea Fighters. J..

| Inc OBJECT LOT WHICH Tie uuEuA
militia was organized has been accom-
plished, according to government ofil-
Gals who are in close touch with this
branch of the navy department. The
object Of the formation and the main
tanning Of naval militia is that de-
pendable force may be available for
the use of the federal government in
case Of actual or threatened war. Now
that the government has reached that
stage of "actual war" the navy depart
ment has on hand several thousands Of
fairly well trained men who have been
called out and will help great deal
in the training of new men that must
be added to the naval force to bring it
up to war strength.
BY the naval militia act, the naval
militia, qualified according to the act,
and any existing naval reserve now or
hereafter organized, shall be called into
the service Of the United States in adj
vance of any volunteer force which it
may be determined to raise. Such was
the intent of the congressional act,
and such has been the action taken by
the navy department. 1t has been
the aim of the department in times Of
peace so to train the naval militia
that the officers and enlisted men
might be able to render the most eff
ficient service in time of war. Or
ders have been so worked out that the
militia might know what it's assign
ment would be in time of war, and this
incentive has, it is believed by Off
Gals in charge Of this work, made the
naval militia realize that it Is part
o fthe national defense.
Specialization Not Encouraged.
Specialization of the naval militia
was not recommended by officers who
had charge Of this work, it being be-
lieved that the best results could be
obtained if every officer and enlisted
man were trained in time Of peace to
become efficient for general naval serv-
ice. 1t, was the opinion Of those Off
GERS who worked out the curriculum
for the militia that the officers and en-.
listed men Of the regular navy were
better fitted than the naval militia for
special work, such as on torpedo boats,
mine-sweeping vessels, mine-laying
vessels, submarines, etc., in spite OF
the fact that it might be necessary in
time Of war to augment the crews Of
such vessels by limited number Of
naval militia officers and enlisted men.
1t is interesting to note, in connec-
ton with the present conditions, that,
while the navy department has been
interested for some time in bringing
the naval militia up to the best pos,
sible footing. it is only within the past
few years that it has been the en-
deavor of the division in charge Of this
branch Of the service to increase to
the greatest possible extent the eff
cheney of the naval militia, so that it
might reach that point where it could
be mobilized with the shortest possible
notice and be available for the federal
service.
Employers Gave Aid.
Many manufacturers and business
houses throughout the United States
are showing their patriotism by max
ing allowances for their employees who
enlist, but it is interesting to note in
this connection that many large bust
ness corporations, banks, ETC., have in
the past directed that their employees
who were members Of the naval militia
be allowed leave with full pay to at
tend to their military duties. This
leave was not to count against their
regular annual leave, which was still
given them with full pay. These firms,
through this help, doubtless did their
"bit" for the country by allowing these
men, who have now been called out, to
gain the training which they can now
use to good advantage.