New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-09
ARMY AND NAVY GOSSIP.
COMMANDER EvANSS NEW ASSIGNMENT.

THE DIVISION OF MILITARY INF0RMArI0N-
COLOR OF PAINT FOR WAR VESSELS.
fBY TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRIBUNE!
Washington, May s.-Naval officers here, all Of
whom naturally much interested In orders TO
officers requiring important unusual duty, express
great satisfaction at the assignment OF Commander
X. d. Evans to the command Of the Yorktown as senior
officer of the feet ordered to Behring Sea. Commander
Evans is recognized as of the Navys abest officers,
who in the performance OF duty executes his orders
without fear favor and In an intelligent manner 1t
will be remembered that Commander Evans with the
Yorktown succeeded Captain Schley, Of the Baltimore,
at Valparaiso Chilli when the latter vessel was ordered
home and for the good Judgment and rmnes displayed
In the execution Of his duties Commander Evans was
warmly praised By the President and Secretary Tracy,
as well by the press OF the country.
Tho division OF military information in the War Do
parment recently established by order Of Secretary
Elldns covering field Of labor for officers Of
the Army, has not been in existence long enough to
develop fully its many advantages, but the results
which have obtained prove the importance Of the
division and tic wisdom Of secretary Eans in creating
it. Tho division will have charge Of collecting. sys
tcmazing and disseminating information Of a military
value which be obtained either at home abroad
for In time Of by the military forces Of this
country 1t will be under the direction Of Major Arthur
Macarthur assistant adutanf- general, officer Of
much ability and energy. who by experience and tenn
permanent Is particularly well fitted for the post. 1t
is the hope Of the War Department that the militia
will become greatly Interested in the division and s
work. and materially aid in making it a complete
success. The Navy has had office OF intelligence
for years, and the bureau has been found. by ex.
perience. TO he Institution Of great value to that
branch Of the service.
Colonel ". r. Remey's third term as Judge Advo-
cate General Of the Navy Will expire June 10. and
there already a number Of applicants for that
Office. which. according to law. may be filed by selec-
ton by the President Of any officer OF the Navy or
Marine Corps for period of four years. Colonel
Remey was the first officer appointed Judge advocate
general under the law creating that Office and since
his original appointment In 1850 he has served under
six secretaries Of the Navy and has performed his
duties in highly satisfactory TO them and
the service. II 1t is true reported that Colonel
Remeys health has failed, IL IS certain, Of course,
that he cannot succeed himself. The embarrassment
in the selection Of Colonel Remey's is not
attributable TO want OF cleverness on the part OF
officers Of the Navy and Marine Corps, but TO the
absence Of opportunity incentive for officers TO fit
themselves for this special line Of professional work.
aud as long rs there regular corps OF judges advo
in the Navy this condition Of affairs must con-
time, for II IS not to be expected that officers who
are now engTossed with many studies ana varied AIRED
Is no particular reason or object for so doing.
II is to be regretted that when the Secretary OF the
Navy appointed board Of officers TO determine the
best kind Of paint with which to cover the bottoms Of
the new steel vessels he did no, instruct the boar,
also to determine what was the best color with which
to paint the sides, pa rigging smokestack, tunnels
and all other upper parts Of such vessels for the
latter subject, while not serious the former Is
Of importance and deserves thorough consideration
At present tho orders OF thc Navy Department
qure the portion OF the hus OF the steel vessels above
the watcrinc 70 be painted white and the masts
and other standing parts above the spard.chs oe
painted straw color. and while these coOrs tend 70
make ship look smart" and graceful. experience
shows that they unseryiceablc aud expensive and
particularly conspicuous at Neutrality-suspicious. sufficient
to induC, change. What Is the best color. all things
considered. for parts OF ships above the waterlne Is
question. but that neutral tint, such French
gray. with which the Clyde Line and other steamers
painted. is 1t is pretty generally agreed among
the various climates and particularly III case Of war
10 other color is satisfactory.
According 70 the provisions of tho bill recently In
tIoduced by senator Doph. relating the retirement
Of soldiers enlisted who has served In the
Army continuously for twcnty-h years either
private or commissioned officer. or BOTH SHALL
upon application TO the President be placed upon the
retired list With 40 per cent OF the current pay and
allowances OF his rank The bin further provides
that men who have been disabled in line OF duty and
have completed twenty years OF service. and
who served year more during the War
OF the Rebellion and have since completed
twenty years service. continuous or otherwise,
In the Army. shall in like manner and under like
ditlons 10 retired Under the present law enlisted
who have completed thirty years OF service in
the Army Marine Corps may be retired with IS per
cent OF their pay and allow service during the
Rebellion being counted double time
In connection with his original communication urs-
ing upon the attention of Congress the ACCESSIBILITY Of
transferring the Revenue Marine 10 the Navy Depart
ment and stating that the saving in expense TO the
BY the transfer would amount 10 Sj000 900,
Secretary Tracy ms forwarded TO the senate a supple
mcntary communication on the subject. from which 1t
appears that upon further examination OF the mat
and basing the Of maintenance OF the Revenue
Marine upon stricter estimate. the amount Of tho
saving 70 the Government a. result OF The transfer.
by the Sccrctary's reasoning Is put $4,000 and
not $500, 900, rs previously stated.
Having been asked BY the senate Naval Committee
for an expression OF his views the ACCESSIBILITY Of
transferring To Brooklyn certain portion Of the land
belonging to the Navy Yard in that city. proposed
by House Bill No 5.sl2. Secretary Tracy his stated
IN reply that he approves the proposition.
IL is reported that an order clearly defining the
duties OF the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Will
shortly be ISSUED BY the secretary OF the Navy. IL
Is understood that matters relating TO the fleet. %
repairs OF vessels home abroad to contracts and
pay mcnts contracts and to the Marine Corps viii
be included In the duties OF Assistant Secretary
Soey who during his brief experience as a public
Official has shown marked ability and energy In the
management OF naval affairs.
The retirement OF Lieutenant Colonel Edward U.
Woodruff 18th Infantry, promotes Major William II.
Houo 80 tba lao upufanant-cO
1ItTcCaptain Emerson II. Liscom, 10th, to be major
~ thu ODD First Lieutenant William VI. Williams. OF