The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-12-07
ARMY AND NAVY.

The appearance Of the large number of WE'LL
drilled and hardy looking marines and sailors
from the new warship New York in the Nathan
Hale procession in New York reminded the
spectators of the fact that our naval force is be-
coming somewhat important in size. Every
new ship that is put into commission in our
Navy requires the addition Of several hundred
men to the naval forces, besides giving occupa-
tion to large number of the cadets who have
been turned adrift at the Naval Academy at
Annapolis every year to seek employnIe in
civil pursuits To the people who watched
them as they passed by the knowledge that
about 80 per cent, Of these new recruits were of
American birth was Of considerable interest.
Without doubt the large enlistment of American
seamen and marines on the New York has been
due to the feeling that they would be identified
with one of the finest and speediest warships
afioat.
The recent inspection of the gunboat Machas
shows that her top-hcavy condition is more
serious than was at first supposed. 1t is said
now that the metacentric hight of the cruiser
is only three inches, and that her stability is
much less than At hrst stated. 1T is believed
all of her fve-ihch side arnor will be removed
and her battery probably lirbiened to bring the
ship to propef stiffness. Tons of cement will
have 10 be placed I'm her bottom and some Of the
weights shifted 10 bring her metacenter to the
proper point. The efficiency of the ship will
be seriously affectsd. 20 1856
Secretary Herbert has appointed Benjamin
Micou, OF Admission, Ala, Chief Clerk of the
Navy Department, vice John w. Hogg. de-
ceased. The selection caused some surprise at
the Department. The Office is not in the class-
fed service; nevertheless, it was thought that
the principles of civil-service reform would be
followed in the appointment. Mr.. Micou, the
new Chief Clerk, is Secretary Herberts s0n-in-
law. He is young lawyer, and is said To be
good business man. He has had no experience
in Government business affairs. however, and
| it will take him some time to master the tech
nical detail. of the extensive operations Of the
Naval establishment.
The President has appointed Col. f 8. Otis,
Goth Inf, to be Brigadier- General In the Army.
| to succeed Gen. CarliH, retired. After retiring
! Gen. Carr President Harrison nominated Col
Otis. The Senate refusing to consider Military
Comm ittee work in Executive session just be-
| fore adjourning, Col. Otis was not confirmed.
| Mean while Col Carlin succeeded Gen. Carr by
| another appointment.
| Gen Carlin retired week before last and
| gossip among Army officers over the prospects
| Of Col Otis's appoint ment has been rife since
/ then. 1t was believed that some other Colonel
would secure the plum. The nomination OF
| Col. Otis will cause the advancement OF Lieut.
| Col William III Penrose, 18th Inf; Maj. Edwin
| M. Coates 10Th Inf; Capt. Clarence z. Bennett,
| 18th Inf; First Lieut. Charles st, j. Chubb.
| 7th Inf, and Second Lieut.. Arthur Johnson.
| Ilth Inf Although tho second ranking Col
| onel in the service, Gen. Otis s one Of the
youngest in years. being SIS years old. He will
| retire in 1902
Samples of smokeless powder advertised for
| by the Army Ordnance Bureau. have thus far
| been submitted for trial by the agent OF the
| Trois DART powder, German article that has
given satisfactory results in experiments made
| ut Sandy Hook. Ernest Schonrock, represent
| ing the Swiss Governmental Powder Works. is
also SOLICITORS for an opportunity to compete.
| 1t is stated that the Swiss Government is will
ing to allow their formulas to be used for the
| purpose. The indications arc, however that
/ an American firm will receive the award, for
not only have domestic powders given ballistic
results equal and even superior to the foreign
| powders but it is believed that sound policy re-
| aures the United States Government to be free
from dependence upon foreign nations for the
| supply of this very necessary sinew of war.