The National tribune., 1893-06-15
ARMY AND NAVY.

The War Departments stands ready to do
anything within its power to promote the in
terest of the National Guard. While Secretary
Lamont has hardly had time to give the SUBJ
ject much attention, he has demonstrated
friendly interest toward the National Guard
from the fact that in his war on the detached
service officers he has shown no disposition to
disturb those officers who were detailed by the
last Administration for special duty with Gov
ernors OF number of States for the purpose of
organizing and instructing the militia troops.
Furthermore he has given his subordinates to
understand that he desires the lost hearty CO.
operation possible between the National Guard
and the Regular Army. Unfortunately the
lack of transportation funds will make it i'm
practicable to carry out any projects looking
10 an extensive joint encampment between the
two forces at Chicago, but wherever it is posi-
bic to utilize local garrisons for service in
connection with the militia encampment the
necessary authority will be given.
There is probability that the bore of the
Navy Calling guns will be changed. To be of
the greatest service the Gatling guns used in
Naval warfare must be fitted to use the am
munition manufactured for the small arms
issued to the sailors The adoption of tho
small caliber for the new Army rifle is to be
followed up by the Navy. and that in turn will
necessitate the reduction Of the bore of the
Calling guns from 45-caiiber to 32-caiber.
Already the Ordnance Bureau is preparing for
the change.
new idea has been adopted in regard to
ammunition which is expected to insure
quicker feed to the gun and TO dispense with
| the labor involved in the present process of
reloading the cartridge reservoirs by hand. In
the new arrangement the cartridges are lightly
but securely clamped iii compact rows on
sheets of tin about Is inches long. These
sheets are inserted by hand ia slot in the
breech OF the gun, which automaiic ally picks
each cartridge from its fastening rs the sheet
! passes rapidly through the gun.
Uncle Sam is very much pleased with his
Naval reserves and the progress they are max
ing, and is doing all in his power to encourage
! them. The Naval reserves OF Massachuset
and New York will soon be sent 10 sea
! United States war-shp The practice of drill
| ing men on shore and on ships in the immedi-
ate vicinity will not be followed this Summer
! Practical seamanshipin every sense of the word
| is what the Navy Departments believes is need
! ed. and the Governors OF the TWO States named
| have been informed of tho proposed cruise.
| There has been considerable correspondence
| between the Navy Department Commander
| Wright OF the Phiaieiphit Naval Reserve
! Brigade, with regard to nanuvering the re-
serves this Summer The Department is very
/ anxious to extend TO the philade phia Reser Il
! the same advantages given hose of New York
| and massachusetts,
Secretary Lamont has decided that no officer
1 on detached service will he considered eligible
| To appointment TO future vacancies in the staff
| corps. This will cause the officers in the West
| To rejoce, hut il will he sad blow TO several
| hundred officers who are enjoying the sweets
] Of an Eastern station on special duty.