The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-03
MILITARY AFFAIRS.

recent order from the Adjutant Generals
DGice provides that hereafter oficers belonging 70
the Paymaster's Department are authorized, when
changing stations, 70 take their clerks with them
ut the public expense.
The new trowe bavonet lately adopted in the
United States service is TO be habitually worn in
the scabbard. unless when nxed on the rne for
use as weapon. It Is never to be used as an in
trenching tool fixed 10 the musket
Ia meeting OF ex-Conederate soldiers lately
lele at Memphis, Tenn, Tor the purpose OF deco
rating the graves OF the Southern dead. resolu-
lion was adopted requesting federals to lend their
Aid IN this melancholy tribute OF respect to the
memories OF the brave. This is as 1t should be !:
hnu ~ 10 10 be hoped That the 'Doys In buen VIII
heartily respond TO this appeal.
German military men are making great Drepa-
ratlons Tor an unusually extensive series OF held
provinces OIL the Rhine. A regularly fortified
place Is 10 be oesleged and approached by Saps.
Dung we progress o. Tue siege 'ne fortress Is 70
a large number OF officers from several European
armies will be present.
The British Admiralty are at last about to do
something toward oettering the condition OF a
most Indispensable class OF o1icers, the engineers
OF the navy. Their position mas always been
looked upon as Inferior; in fact, they were con-
sidereo merely in the light OF intelligent mechan-
ics Several years ago IL was found eXpedient
that naval engineers should be raised from mere
warrant officers TO the rank OF sub.lieutenants
WHAT they now need is that their corps receive a
special organization and the direct line OF promo
lion be opened TO them up to a rank correspond.
ing with that oil post captain.
A hue chance for naval architects 20 distinguish
themselves Is offered by the Councii OF the Royal
United Service Institution. The institution offers
lts annual medal this year for prize essay on Tine
best types OF war vessels Tor the British Navy;
nrst, Tor combined action second, Tor single
cruisers OF great speed and. third, for coast de-
fence.n All essays are to be submitted on or be-
lore the lSt oil November next.
The government Of Prussia has lately issued In
Btructions 10 carry forward without delay the
WORKS commenced two years ago on the Iortl1ca-
lions OF CoblepZ Spandau, Posen, Cologne, Kus-
tim, Dantzie, Thorn. Glogau, Konlgsberg, Col
Wllhelmshayen, Duppel, Sonderourg and some
other PAGES, including the deSenl0otcl.res OF
EDe and the Weser.
They have queer way OF doing Things In the
War Department at Washington. A general order
reducing allowances oil Iuel and forage mas just
Deen puDllshed. 1t bears date OF March 10, ana
the AdJutant General innocenty informs the pub
nc that "ths order was misaid, winch explains Its
late publication Comment on such inc xcusaoe
neglect OF duty is unnecessary.
A tnirty-eight.ton gun ut Woolwicn, with o
driving charge OF $50 lbs. OF powder ana projec-
Tile oI SEQ lbs, acquired the extreme initial ve-
locity o. 1906 feet per second. This very salts
factory result is principally due 10 the use or NAM
one ana hall inches In diameter. England owes
this Improvement III powder To America.
BRITISH military men may be said to he in a reg
ular Tx ABOUT the Henry Martini rifle adopted
some time ago into the English service All the
regiments TO whom IL has been distributed concur
In giving 1t one OF the detestable qualities OF bad
horse-lt KICKS lrgntuy. The best complime mt
paid the weapon Is that II kicks mo worse than
the Sniuer.u In addition to this lnconyenle
the British are beginning TO find out that not only
the Russians aud Germans, but the Austrians
also. have better rifles tnan Her Maesty's troops.
Durin. recent debate In the Brush House OF
Commons upon the army estimates u member
asked the secretary OF War II II was intended 10
instruct any more elgnty-one.ton guns. The
surveyor General oil ordnance SAID 'yes," and that
"ihe navy would very soon require these very
large guns" tie also stated that England mad re-
turned 10 the Misunderstanding system for great
guns.