The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-01-25
ARMY AND NAVY.


The report of the official trial of the new
cruiser Olympia, built by the Union Iron Works
apSan Francisco, has been received at the Navy
Department. It shows that the vessel developed
n speed of 81 60 knots per hour. which will give
the contractors premium of $300,O0o the
largest premium ever earned in the construc-
tinu of n United States warship.
Fhe Bureau OF Military Information estab-
lsheG by Secretary Elkins with the assistance
Of Adj't-Gen. Williams has proved Il great sue
cess aud its sphere of usefulness Is 10 be ex-
tended. Among the cbSi,ges proposed in its
admin istra:i~ is the Bubiiration of quarterly
reports o. i:'rornation or military matters in
ioreisn countries by representatives OF the
War Depart, rn., in order that it may be OF
benefit to the National Guard well as to the
Army Tho character of the information
gathered will aisB be altered There will be
fewer facts regsrding coast defenses, and more
in regard 10 the daily life of European armies,
such as the methods of Subsistence, of messing
large bodies of soldiers. of transportation, of
camping. and of carrying equipments.
There is some question as to the future OF the
Naval War College. 1t depends ON the favor
able action Of Congress on the estimates sub
mitted by the Secretary Of the Navy for its
maintenance for the next fiscal year. Several
members of the House Naval Committee are
said to be opposed 10 its maintenance as a
separate institution, aud favor the transfer of
INC COlleRe UubiliiS w THO HdNdi iidihiHS ota-
ton for use in the training OF naval apprentices.
Secretary Herbert believes that the college, 1t
properly managed and given the support it de-
serves, will be of great benefit to tho naval
service.
The Annual Register Of the Navy Depart
ment, which has just been issued TO the serv-
ice. records. for the first time since the war,
two frst-class ships of the Navy, the armored
cruiser New York and the triple-screw cruiser
Columbia. OF the second class the cruiser
Balti more, the largest protected vessel in the
Navy, heads the list, with the Chicago second
and the Philadelphia third, Of which all are OF
recent construction.
Seven old-timers. which have seen better days,
are now tied up at Navy-yards receiving
ships Many of these are now fast going to decay
and will be relieved this Summer by some ofthe
wooden ships whose days of active service are
at an end. OF the nnserviceable vessels OF the
Navy there are included the Hartford, the Pen
sacola, Omaha Constitution, Swatara Nipsic,
and st. Louis
Rear-Admiral Bellsnap has been placed on the
Retired List at the age of 62. Admiral Belknap
appointed to the Navy from New Hamp-
shire as a Mdsbipman in 1876. The vacancy
created by his retirement will be filled by the
promotion of Commodore John q. Walker, who
succeeded Admiral Belknap on Monday last as
President of the Naval Board of Inspection
and Survey.
Two more hear-AdmfraiS VIII retlre IN AprIi.
The retirement of Admiral Benham will pro-
mote Commodore +. NJ. Ramsay. and the retire
ment of Admiral Irwin will promote Comme-
dore Joseph S. Skerrett.
The question of the right of Maj. c. b.
Thiockmorton, Cd Art, to draw a salary from
the Government out of the appropriation for
the army, while he is drawing salary from
the City of New York as Assistant Snperin-
tendent of the Street Cleaning Department, Is
still unsettled. 1t will he passed upon in the
first instance by the Pay Department Of the
Army, and if payment is made TO him as usual
by the Army Paynaster, the question as to its
legality will subsequently, be considered by the
Accounting Officers OF the Treasury in settling
the accounts of the Paymaster