New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-22
NEWS OF ARMY AND NAVY.
SEVEN SHIPS WILL DE COMMISSIONED
FOR SERVICE WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

THE COMMANDING OFFICERS IN MANY. CASES
ARE ALREADY DECIDED UPoN-EcoNoMY
IN MILITARY APPROPRIATIONS
IpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrpuSE.1
Washington. Jan. 2l-The active strength OF the
Navy Is to be considerably augmented within the
next few days by the addition OF four new vessels
TO the sea-Going feet and the recommissionng
OF :hree OF the older ships. The omcers VII! oe
taken from the various shore stations. while the
sailors and marines will come from the receiving
ships and barracks the Atlantic and Pacihc
coasts. The ships, with the dates or COMMISSION
inS are the Marblehead February !; the Coiumoia'
March /. and the Raleigh. Cincinnati, Atlanta ana
Alert, April /. The Marion has been ordered nome
from the Aslatic Station. and upon her arrival at
San Francisco about March l. she VIII receive
new set OF officers and preparatory TO her
cruise in Behring Sea-
At present the demand for ships greatly exceeds
the supply The only embarrassment Is the great
difficulty which is being experienced In mastering
n sufficient number of sailors and marines Tor DUTY
on the new ships. Fully LOO men will be required
properly to equip the seven ships. There are less
than one-half that number available for active
sea service. In commissioning the ships at present
abroad consideration has been had for the new ves-
sells and the size and consequent efficiency or the
crews Of vessels at sea have been necessarily re-
duced. The cruisers will. therefore. have to so
into service shorthandcd, as their early presence
on the home and foreign stations and In Behring
Sea is necessary IN order that the countrys inter-
ests may be adequately protected.
The Marblehead Will go into commission at the
New-York Navy Yard. Her detail OF officers Is
practically completed. Commander Charles O'Neil
will be the commanding officer Lfeutenant-Com-
mander r. NJ. c. Brown the executive. and Lieu
tenant Charles G. Bowman the navigator The
names of the other officers will be announced
within the next few days. The Columbia will be
put In commission at Cramps shpyard. Her COM
ma ndIng and executive officers will be Captain
George Sumner and Lieutenant Commander c.
o. Abone. The Alert will be commanded by
Commander William a. Morgan and the Atlanta
by Captain John x. Bartlett who was in charge
OF the vessel when she went out Of commission
few weeks ago. The Alert Is at the Mare Island
Navy Yard and the Atlanta at Norfolk. The
Marions commander Will probably be Com
mander John J. Brice. who has just been put on
waiting orders by Secretary Herbert. IL Is posi-
be that Commander Brice may be sent to Homo
lulu q the relief Of Commander Thomas Nelson
on the Adams In that event OF the recently
promoted commanders who have not ye, had charge
OF ships would go to the Marion. For the com
mand of the Raleigh and Cincinnati there Is con-
siderable rivalry. Both vessels are modern In equip
ment and comfortable as to quarters. Unlike the
other vessels In commission at this time they
were Drllt at navy yarGS, ana tneir movements VIII
naturally be watched with special interest The
asplrants for the position Of senior officer on each
ship are more numerous than for any other Of the
| ships soon to be ready for service AS each
ship is over 800 tons In displacement. the detail
Will be made from the list OF captains. The proba-
| biliti,-s to selection point TO Captain Mer
rlll Miller for the Raleigh. and Captain Henry Glass
| FOR the cincinnati. Captain Miller completed his
last cruise in 1857 and captain Glass In 1888. Both
| are regarded excellent officers and In every
way suited TO command two OF the Nays smart
ships
The seen vessels viii be sent to different parts
OF the world. and become members OF the hard
worked squadrons now protecting american .,.i In
| Cincinnati and Marb,head will be- attached to the
North Atlantic fleet They VII remain on this sta
clnnan occupy rather novel position IN the naval
Teg Haymg been S9i al r the mot ,h.y een
form to the speed, and other qualities for which
ordered abroad as soon az ready Tor cruise w.
mately the destination OF the Raleigh VIII be the
lion. The Atlanta will remain In home. waters for
he presn shs VII be me only e S n T,uissT
| the Marion will Join the Behr!ng Sea fleet IN the
closely following the commissioning OF the seven
vessels named Will come orders 70 Officers ana
men to report on board the olympia 10, s ,h ser
ecutve officer OF the New-York Navy Yard. has
Thus within The mex, four or i've months the active
Navy will be Increased by Ave efficient; modern
cruisers and two servlceabe ships, making the
ihirty-four Of which twenty-five are Of the modern
type Counting the Boston and tastine. whicn are
ranlIjy nearing readiness FOR service. the modern
fleet VIII number twenty effective FesseIS
| OF various kinds.
Probably the next important measure 20 he re-
ported by the senate COMMITTEE on Mimary AZ,
fairs will b.. the bin rcorganizc the artillery ana
Infantry branches ~ the Army on basis OF seven
regiments Of twelve batteries each for The artil-
lerv and twenty-five regiments or twelve companies
each FOR the infantry. Senator Henderson. VINO
has devoted much study to the subject IN the past
now has the bill under consideration. Ills report
Will be n favorable one. In the House the commit
tee on Military Affairs Is icvotin. particular atten-
ton 70 the regular appropriation bills That for the
maintenance OF the Military Academy IL practically
ready 10 be Submitted TO the House Ii VIII differ
but little In provisions from the act for the current
fiscal year. No appropriation Will be made FOR new
work other than that which Is found absolutely nee
esslry 10 the health and comfort OF the cadets