New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-03
NEWS OF ARMY AND NAVY
WILL A DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH BE
ORGANIZED?
PROBABLE ASSIGNMENTS OF THE SEVEN ADDI-
TIoNAL SHIPS FOR THE NAvY-AD-
MIRAL ERBEN's RETIREMENT


considerably augmented about November /. On
that date seven additional vessels old and new will
be ready for sea service AS result several OF the
squadrons will be partly reorganzed. Two of the
ships to be commissioned are undergoing the final
work OF construction, and five receiving repairs
preliminary to further cruising. The list includes
the Olympia. Minneapolis and Boston. protected
cruisers Machas and Castine. gunboats, and the
wooden ships Lancaster and Marion. The Olympia
is at the Union Iron Works San Francisco. Her
contractors report that she Is nov practically COM
pleted and that unless unexpected delays occur in
putting the finishing touches the vessel will be
ready to be turned over to the Government on the
date mentioned. The Cramps are making rapid
progress the construction work of the Mime
apolis, and little more remains TO be done on her
hull. Her machinery is now ready for service, few
changes having been found necessary after her re-
cent record-breaking trial at sea. Repairs on the
Boston the Mare Island Navy Yard are being
pushed In reports to the Navy Department. Cap
tain Howison commandant OF that station, ex-
presses the belief that the cruiser will be In con-
dtlon TO receive her officers and equipment by
the latter part Of this month. The extensive re-
pairs to the Machas and Castine are rapidly near
ing completion. Commander f. s. Houston has been
ordered 10 command the Machias, and September
IS has been fixed as the day when she is to be re-
commissioned The Castine will not be far behind
her sister ship In retakng the seas. Her former
captain, Commander Thomas Perry, will take COM
rnanu WORK on tHe lsdHCdsteI, dl VIC A>e"-ioin
Navy Yard. and the Marion, at Mare Island, Is
progressing satisfactorily.
No orders have been issued by the Navy Depart
assigning these vessels to stations. but 1t Is
known where all are to go. The Olympia and Bos-
ton will be attached to the Pacific squadron, for the
present, at least. The Olympia will not be ordered
abroad until the expiration OF the usual six months
period following her preliminary acceptance by the
Government has elapsed. The Boston will be held
In readiness for emergencies on the Pacific side OF
South America and at Honolulu. The Minneapolis
will become port OF Admiral Meades command
the North Atlantic squadron She will remain at
the home station for six months. or longer. II the
exigen les viii permit. Ultimately she or the
Columbia will go to the Pacific. The Machias and
Castlne will sail for China, proceeding by way of
the Suez Canal. shortly after being put In commits
sion. The Lancaster will join the training fleet.
Her headquarters will be at Newport. In general
she will remain at anchor there making short
cruises neigh boring waters with the apprentices
on board. When the Naval War College is in ses
sion she will be utilized for practical demonstra-
ton In connection with the lectures The Marion
will be assigned the Pacific station. Having great
sail power and copper bottom her services VIII
be OF value in that quarter, where the trips are
long and the docking facilities few The Marons
first trip will probably be to Samoa. where this
country has not been represented by naval vessel
for long time.
a DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH.
The question as to whether Department OF the
South is to be established is which excltes much
interest in Army circles. AS announced in these
dispatches some time ago. an earnest effort Is be-
ing made by Southern members of Congress TO have
the new department organized. SO far neither the
President nor Secretary Lamont has minated what
action in the matter will be taken. Secretary La
spoken most guarded.y lie has admitted that the
question has been considered but ne mas nothing 10
say when asked what the decision VIII De; Many
well-informed Army officers who are Watching me
subject with Interest are Of the opinion nat tie
Department OF the Sou;h Will be established IN the
near future. probably in November upon the re,
trement o, General howard ana .ne M Fas ~
These officers say that considering the military con,
bn akn ana and Ent the request from the south urged
1t Is by Senator Gordon: Speaker Crisp and Others
as Se When Of he military y
would be abolished In case the new one should be
pa ti OF the Platte into tina, OF Colorado
6 a &SaT Of M dnys m sso ana
being issued. Senator Mandcrson has also opposed
that the Platte Is be disturbed. The lates,
commanded by General obs, viii be abandoned and
it's garrisons transferred to the Department OF Cali
jet say that this is the most advisable change to
make and one which the President and Secretary
Lamont will probably, order when the DEPARTMENT Of
day that General Ous has been ordered to Washing
new department. with headquarters at Atlanta.
Secretary Herbert has referred 10 the Naval Board
submarine boat. with directions that report and
recommendation be submitted TO- nm n reat h TO
structed: The Navy has no vessel OF this class ana
many officers who believe that such boat would be
important djunct to the harbor defences OF the
country anxious that one should be built Con-
kind a sa'y year a' and Appropriated $4,000 for the pur
pose Board OF Naval Officers recommended the
appropriation became available but Secretary Her.
bert did not act upon the report majority OF
idea OF building q submarine boat Al best the
project is REGARDED as an experiment but Il such
that number of them IN time OF war would prove
good harbor detenees Naval Constructor Gapps V
Navy Department with the Holland design. II the
there is good reason for suppOsng that the pro- |
m be o R has given an opinion to
Secretary Herbert which Is OF Importance TO the |
Government and tc persons who propose to per,
Navy. The particular question submitted TO Mr.: |
to the Navy Department bids in response to pub,
lie advertisement could withdraw their proposals |
the date fixed in the advertisement for such for |
maty The practice which Is based upon the |
to permit contractors to recall their proposals
either In person. or by letter or telegraph In cases
seals were broken. In several instances It has |
subsequently been learned that the bids withdrawn
lars the most satisfactory OF those received AS
lost several thousand dollars. and has been sub
iected to delays and other Inconvenience. In his
opinion Attorney General Olney holds that the
conclusions of HIS predecessors. including the re-
cent ruling Of Mr.. Miller erroneous. The ef-
feet OF bid Is regarded as OF such nature that.
once submitted 1t is beyond recall and the bid.
der must be bound by the terms of his proposal
In case OF Its acceptance.
ADMIRAL ERBENS RETIREMENT.
Under the provisions OF the law relating to the
retirement account OF age OF naval officers, Adj
miral Erben the commander-in -chief of the Eu-
ropean station, will haul down his flag the
Chicago on Tuesday. The Admiral Will have
reached the age OF sixty-two years on that day.
Acting Rear-Admiral Kirkland will succeed Ad-
nlrai Erben In command OF the Mediterranean |