New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-03
NEVIS OF THE ARM Y.
-FOUR LIVELY CONTESTS FOR PROMOTION
NOW GOING on.
GENERAL HOWARD To RETIRE sOON-CANDI
DATES FOR HIS PLACE-oTHER VACANCIES
TO BE FILLED.


Washington July THE lveliest contest which
officers of the Army have engaged in for years has
just begun. The prizes at stake are four OF the
most important and desirable positions In the
military service. vacancies in which 10
occur. They are major-Goneralship. hrigadier-
ceneralship the head Of the Commissary Depart
ment and a majority In the Inspector Generals
Department; The vacancy in the grade Of major
general will be created by the early retirement.
on account Of age. OF General O. O. Howard, the
present commander Of the Department Of tho East
The four senior brigadier- generals Ruger. COM
handing the Department OF California; Merritt.
cOmman ding the Department of Dakota; Brooke
commanding the Department OF the Platte. and
McCook. commanding the Department Of Colorado,
applicants for the Office. the highest TO which
Army officers be advanced. In the matter Of
rank General Kruger Is the senior and General Nc
Cook the junior General RuEer viii retire. on ac-
Of age in 1891. General Merritt in 1900, Cen
eral Brooke in 1902 and General McCook in April
next The junior briga der generals Wheaton and
Otis, who were promoted in 1892 and 1898. respec-
lively. are not avowed candidates for the major
gener0lship.
The promotion Of any Of the officers named will
create vacancy In the grade OF hrigafleT-genelaL
For this position nearly every colonel Of the line
will be an applicant Already sixteen officers Of
this rank have announced themselves as candi-
dates. II the selection Is made the score OF
seniority Colonel shafter. Of the Isl Infantry.
would get the prize. He was General Otis's chief
for promotion by MIR Cleveland. lie will retire
on account Of age in 1899 Colonel Shafter will be
hard pressed in the contest 10y Colonies Bliss and
Forsyth, who are regarded with much favor on
account Of their past good records ana present
efficiency. Among the other candidates are
Colonies Msner Biidle. Carlton Anderson Living
ston. Swaine. Merriam. Bates, Bartlett Townsend
Mason, Blunt Poland and Hall Lieutenant-
carries more battle scars than any officer in the
As the successor of General Hawkins. chief Of the
COmmssary Department. but one onicor ia iromi-
second officer in rank Of the Department. and tho
present acting head OF the corps.
The vacancy in the grade OF major IN inc IN,
spector-Generars Department VIII be occas.oneI
by the retirement OF Lieutenant-C Colonel Lawton.
whose health Will not permit OF his continuing on
active duty For the pace there are many, appi-
are mentioned the TWO officers most likely 70 De
regarded with special favor.
The Army and Navy Register publishes 70
port concerning the abolition Of the Office of COM
handing General which has greatly stirred up
military circles and started much speculation The
Register says that reports which have reached u
a question whether or not General Schone.i VIII
have successor upon his retirement go september
hers o. Congress who are, ior unknoMn reasons
nimical 20 the interests u General Mes. the stc-
ond senior Major-Generai. ana General ; 'hohe, y.
natural successor, are s'h'ning 20 prevent tnat
officer coming . Washington - the head ~ NC
Army. According - inc story, "hcn Genera.
SrhOhed Is retired his Office VII cease. Thereafter
the duties OF the Commanding General are 80 hr
discharged by the Secretary and Assistant Srcrc-
iary Of War. either directly Or through tn" heals
way Naval affairs are conducted tThe Ad;I;ant-
General would act chief 81 staN and through
him orders would be issued - the troops and GER
tain other administrative details affecting the per
sonnet be carried on
The Register saws that when spoken % Score
tary Lamont treated the matter lightly. Assistant
bcrs % Congress might De interested ia the ah0i.-
ton OF the Comman ine-Generals Office.