The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-01
ARMY AND NAVY,

There is already talk at the Navy Department
about supplying the Kearsarge's place and
several projects have .beenI preached that may
find their way to Congress. One con tenn plates
the construction of A magnificent battleship
worthy TO perpetnate7 the name of the Kear-
sarge OH the Naval lists. Another project is to
build two or three light-draft gunboats about
the size of the Petrol. now doing service in
Chinese waters.
The President has informed members of
Congress who have approached him on the
subject that he proposed, so far as possible. to
appoint the sons of Army and Naval officers as
Gadets-at-large to the Military and Naval Acad-
emics. This is in accordance with his policy
OF eight years ago. Tbere are two such vacan-
cies now at the Naval Academy, which it is
believed will be filled before the 1st Of MAY.
1t is expected that the first battlesIip built
for The new Navy will 20 to sea for Il prelimi-
nary trial of her engines aud her seagoing
qualities within the next few weeks. Of the
three lattesbips authorized in 1890 the Indi-
ana will be the first TO dip her bows in salt
water. but the Massachusetts will come along
two months later. and the Oregon next. The
largest OF all, the Iowa, will be one year behind
the smaller vessels.
The House Committee on Naval Affairs has
agreed not to report in favor of authorizing the
construction of any more vessels. This is duo
to the opposition of the Administration. owing
W VIC aifSSCu bcCcoSitJ Oh cCOuOUy. secretary
Hebert Was in favor of authorizing the con-
struction of another battleshp as it would not
be necessary to make any appropriation at this
session, because tile work of preparing the
plans and letting the contract would take up
considerable time. But the President, it is
said, did not favor even that much of an adj
vance. For the first time in many years Con.
gress at the long session will pass an appropria-
ton bill without making any provision for an
increase in the Navy. 1t Is possible that the
Senate may amend the House bill, but it is to
be doubted If the result will be otherwise than
now.
There is considerable rivalry between the
various regiments OF the Army just at present
as to which shall first be supplied with the new
service rifle. The first lot Of the Krag- Jorgen-
son 30-caliber magazine gun will be turned out
from the Springfield Armory about the LIST of
March, and naturally every regiment is anx-
ious to have the honor to be the first equipped
with the new arm. 1t is believed that in de-
Gliding the matter the Department will be
guided by the target record of the regiment.
With the guns there will also be issued lot of
new smokeless powder cartridges. Eventually
the guns will be turned out at the rate of 1000
8 month.
Capt. Paul st. Clair Murphy has been ap-
pointed by Col Haywood. Of the Marine Corps,
to succeed the late Capt. Mannix as Commander
OF the Marine Barracks Capt Murphy has re-
Gently been on duty at the Flliette inquiry
in Boston. He assumed command March l.
Secretary Herbert has nearly completed the
draft of bill, which he will ubmit TO the spec
iai committee OF Congress- embod ling his plan
for the reorganiZat of the personnel of the
Navy. Mr.. Herbert's proposition. it is under
Stood will relate only to the line officers of the
Navy. He believes that it is the executive
branch of the service which most needs atten-
ton, and the staff corps will. for the present,
N ia catH bol
will propose an arrangement that will remove
the present embargo on promotions, and which
keeps an officer out of places of trust and re-
sponsibiity until he reaches an age when he is
hardly fl for them. and their duties are irk-
some and uncongenial to him.