[No. 15.] STATUS OF THE U. S. MARINE CORPS. COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON NAVAL ACADEMY AND MARINE CORPS, Thursday, January 7, 1909. The subcommittee met at 2 o'clock p. m. Present:epresentatives Butler (acting chairman), Bates, Talbott, Hobson, and Kitchin, members of the subcommittee. Also Representatives Foss, Loudenslager, Roberts, Thomas, Dawson, and Olcott, members of the Committee on Naval Affairs. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen, Mr. Mudd is the chairman of this subcommittee, but by reason of his condition of health, which is improving, he thought that perhaps he had better not attend these sessions, which may be of some length and confining, and therefore he has asked me, being the next member of the subcommittee, to take his place and to represent him as chairman. STATEMENT OF HON. TRUMAN H. NEWBERRY, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Mr. Secretary, the purpose of this examination by the subcommittee is to elicit information as to the present and prospective status of the Marine Corps, and so that we may have the information that the committee desires we have asked some gentlemen to come before us; and we will examine you first, with your permission. Now, an executive order has been issued, I understand, the result of which has been the detachment of the marines on board war ships. Is that a fact? Secretary NEWBERRY. It is; from part of the warships at present, and prospectively from all the ships. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Have you a copy of that order? Secretary NEWBERRY. I have not here. I will insert it in the hearing, though. It is as follows: EXECUTIVE Order defining THE DUTIES OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. In accordance with the power vested in me by section 1619, Revised Statutes of the United States, the following duties are assigned to the United States Marine Corps: (1) To garrison the different navy-yards and naval stations, both within and beyond the continental limits of the United States. (2) To furnish the first line of the mobile defense of naval bases and naval stations beyond the continental limits of the United States. (3) To man such naval defenses, and to aid in manning, if necessary, such other defenses, as may be erected for the defense of naval bases and naval stations beyond the continental limits of the United States. 77013-09-26 395 (4) To garrison the Isthmian Canal Zone, Panama. (5) To furnish such garrisons and expeditionary forces for duties beyond the seas as may be necessary in time of peace. The WHITE HOUSE, November 12, 1908. (No. 969.) THEODORE ROOSEVELT. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Does the order specifically detach the marines from the ships? Secretary NEWBERRY. I will have to read it. I could not tell you from memory. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. In pursuance of that order, as Secretary of the Navy, you issued a general order, did you not, on the subject of the detachment of marines from the ships? Secretary NEWBERRY. I do not remember. It all came before I was Secretary of the Navy. I can not tell you. Rear Admiral PILLSBURY. Yes, sir; it was issued by your predecessor, to gradually remove them in obedience to the President's order. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. You will put into the record of the hearing, as part of your evidence, a copy of the executive order, please? Secretary NEWBERRY. I will; and a copy of the other order, too. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Let me hand you this copy. What is the number of that, please, Mr. Secretary? Secretary NEWBERRY. It is a letter. The number of the letter is 942-134, dated November 18, 1908. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. And it is an order detaching marines from certain ships? Secretary NEWBERRY. Yes, sir. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. May I make that part of your evidence, sir? Secretary NEWBERRY. Yes. It detaches them and supplies their places. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. It is No. 942-134, signed November 18, 1908. (The above-mentioned letter is as follows:) NOVEMBER 18, 1908. SIR: The department transmits herewith a copy of an identical letter sent to the commandants of navy-yards, New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk; and the commanding officers of each of the ships affected by the changes therein made. The marine detachment of the Maine will be withdrawn at a later date, probably next spring. Very respectfully, Rear Admiral C. H. ARNOLD, U. S. Navy, TRUMAN H. NEWBERRY, Acting Secretary. Commander Third Squadron, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, U. S. S. Dolphin. 942-134. NOVEMBER 18, 1908. SIR: In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order No. 969, the marine detachments will be withdrawn from the following vessels on the dates named: The complements of the above-named vessels have been decreased by the number of marines thus withdrawn and have been increased in the seaman branch as follows: 3 masters at arms, first class; 3 masters at arms, second class; 22 seamen; 30 ordinary seamen; 2 buglers. When the marine detachments are withdrawn from the ships, the stores, etc., be transferred. will The ordnance allowance of the above-named vessels will be increased by the number of rifles and accoutrements corresponding to the changes made by the withdrawal of the arms of the marine detachments. The storerooms thus vacated will be at the disposal of the commanding officer for such use as he may assign. Very respectfully, COMMANDANT, Navy Yard, Norfolk. COMMANDANT, Navy- Yard, Philadelphia. TRUMAN H. NEWBERRY, COMMANDING OFFICERS New Hampshire, Montana, North Carolina, Idaho, and Mississippi. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. In that order the marines are detached from the New Hampshire, the Montana, the North Carolina, the Idaho, and the Mississippi. Is that the first order that was issued subsequent to the executive order touching the detachment of marines, Mr. Secretary? Secretary NEWBERRY. I should say it is, but I do not know. I sign a good many orders every day. Rear-Admiral PILLSBURY. They were all issued about the same time, for the first relief. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Then there have been a number of orders issued detaching marines? Secretary NEWBERRY. In compliance with executive directions. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Will you be kind enough to have those orders included in your statement? Secretary NEWBERRY. Yes, sir. The orders issued were: SPERRY, Connecticut, Manila. [Translation.] WASHINGTON, November 17, 1908. Complements of battle ships are reduced by marine detachments and increased 3 masters-at-arms, first class; 3 masters-at-arms, second class; 20 seamen, and 34 ordinary seamen. Order from two ships, marines, including officers, to join brigade at Olongapo if more than one year to serve, if not more transfer to other ships and fill places by longtime men. Charleston due November 28 with 120 men in excess to replace marines. Changes in other ships will take place when practicable after return home. NEWBERRY. [Translation.] POINT LOMA, WIRELESS STATION, Cal. For Swinburne: NOVEMBER 17, 1908. Send marine detachments with officers from one division Pacific Fleet to San Francisco by Buffalo. 120 men via Buffalo will replace marines, two ships. Prairie due Colon December 19; will bring 120 men to fill vacancies in other two ships and 540 others to fill other vacancies in fleet to April 1. Send short-time men enlisted Pacific coast north via Buffalo; those enlisted Atlantic coast via Prairie. Authorized retain petty officers necessary for whom reliefs not provided and men signing form 59. Complement of all ships reduced by marine detachment and increased 3 masters-at-arms, first class; 3 masters-at-arms, second class; 20 seamen, 34 ordinary seamen; changes in complement other ships will take place when practicable later. Report names ships from which marines withdrawn. NEWBERRY. 1501-73 NOVEMBER 17, 1908. SR: The chief of bureau directs me to state that the complement of each ship of the Atlantic Fleet is hereby increased by 60 men when the marine detachment is removed, as follows: Three masters-at-arms, first class; 3 masters at-arms, second class; 22 seamen, 30 ordinary seamen, 2 buglers, and for each 6 additional marines allowed for flagship, 3 seamen and 3 ordinary seamen. It is requested that the commanding officers of the vessels under your command be so informed. Very respectfully, The COMMANDER IN CHIEF, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. W. R. SHOEMAKER, Commander, U. S. Navy. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. The marines, then, were not all detached by one order, but by different orders that were issued? Secretary NEWBERRY. I understand they were detached after a conference with the major-general, commandant of marines. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. But they are being detached by different orders? Secretary NEWBERRY. In accordance with the exigencies of the service. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Owing to the exigencies of the service? Secretary NEWBERRY. Yes, sir. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Is it the purpose of the department to take all of the marines off the ships? Secretary NEWBERRY. As soon as practicable. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Can you tell me Secretary NEWBERRY. That does not include prison ships, you know. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. That does not include prison ships? The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Does it include receiving ships? (To Rear-Admiral Pillsbury:) Did they take them off of receiving ships? The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Have they taken them off of any of the receiving ships? Rear-Admiral PILLSBURY. No, sir. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Do you remember the section of the Revised Statutes authorizing this detachment? Secretary NEWBERRY. I have read it. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Is it section 1616? Secretary NEWBERRY. Might I have the statute? The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Yes. Let me read to you, if you please, what I have here: Marines may be detached for service on board the armed vessels of the United States, and the President may detach and appoint for service on said vessels such of the officers of said corps as he may deem necessary. Secretary NEWBERRY. I have read that. The Acting CHAIRMAN. That is section 1616. The Acting CHAIRMAN. Or was it in pursuance of section 1619- Secretary NEWBERRY. He asked me if I had read it, and I said I had. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. I will ask you this: Was this order made in pursuance of that statute? Secretary NEWBERRY. I do not know. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Do you have in your mind now the section of the Revised Statutes authorizing these detachments? Secretary NEWBERRY. I have not. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. If it should be read to you, you would recall it, would you not? Secretary NEWBERRY. I would not. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. You would not? Secretary NEWBERRY. No. I did not issue the order, you remember. You are trying to have me tell you what was in somebody's mind when he issued the order, and I can not tell you. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. No; you might not know what was in his mind when he issued the order; but of course the order was issued in pursuance of statutory authority, and I thought perhaps you might have the section in your mind. Secretary NEWBERRY. I have not. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Will you be kind enough to put in the record of the hearing the section authorizing this executive order? Secretary NEWBERRY. I do not know whether I can or not. I can put in all the law that I find on the subject, if that will be of any help to the committee. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. That would be of help, of course; but I assume that there is some statutory authority for this executive order, Mr. Secretary. Secretary NEWBERRY. Yes; here it is: SEC. 1619. The Marine Corps shall be liable to do duty in the forts and garrisons of the United States, on the seacoast, or any other duty on shore, as the President, at his discretion, may direct. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. How many marines were there on the ships immediately prior to the executive order? Secretary NEWBERRY. About 2,700, I think. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Can you tell me how many have been removed up to this time? Secretary NEWBERRY. Approximately? The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Yes; about how many? Secretary NEWBERRY. Between 700 and 800. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Were the marines taken off of any of the ships in the squadron encircling the globe? Secretary NEWBERRY. The Atlantic fleet? Two ships, I believe. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Can you tell me about how many marines were on the two ships? Secretary NEWBERRY. I think about 60 on each vessel. Correct me if I am mistaken, Admiral. Rear-Admiral PILLSBURY. That is about it- a little more. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Is it the purpose of the department to return the marines to the ships? Secretary NEWBERRY. Not at present. The ACTING CHAIRMAN. What does the department intend to do with the marines that have been detached? |