New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-15
NEWS OF ARMY AND NAVY.
NOT ENOUGH VACANCIES TO ABSORB THE
EMBRYO OFFICERS.
GOSSIP IS TO HOW MILITARY AND NAVAL
CADETS ARE TO BE PROVIDED FoR-THE
TEST OF CARNEGIE EXPERT
MENTAL ARMOR
MENTAL ARMOR.
fry TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRrBuNE.I

! Washington April lL-Ariny ana hd'ai oi''0'"
are giving consideration to the probable NUMBER oi
vacancies in the commissioned grades OF their re-
spc,tiyn branches that will exist for TINS year
/ graduates of West Point and the Naval Academy.
Annually about this time the subject becomes one
OF much interest not only 20 the AUTHORITIES p"'
to the cadets, their parents ana friends me pres
ent outlook is not as encouraging in either the
military or naval branch as it has been at TINS
season in recent years. The class OF 80 at west
| Point numbers Gfty-two. 1t is expected that an
OF the members will be graduated. unless some IAN
| on account Of physical defects. At present there
are only twenty-t three vacancies III the Bidue VI
second leutenant-three in the artillery hve an
the cavalry and fifteen in the infantry Ihete are
no vacancies in the Engineer Corps. In fact there
| are several "aldtonals'' in this branch VINO nave
no, been regularly promoted Thus, to PROVIDE lot
all members OF ;hs years class, twenty-hne more
| vacancies than exist must occur between now anu
graduation day In June. The military authorties
know that In the course OF the next two months
! several vacancies will be created but they do not
count on casualties bringing up the number 10
twcnty-nne Fortunately for the embryo generals
who are finishing their training AT West Point The
provisions Of the law in their cases are generous
Those who successfully pass the final examina-
tons AMI for whom there existing vacancies
ar, not discharged with years pay. as has been
the case FOR years with the naval cadets, but they
become additional second Ieutenants in the sew
eraI arms and subsequently appointed as
casualties create places ~ the lowest commissioned
grade.
The number Of naval cadets who have completed
the six years course AMI VIII BE- ready for assign
ment in June = forty-one Thirty-ive OF these are
in The lire division and six in the engineers d.
vision Under the law the youngsters in the first
named division may be appointed 70 either the line
or the Marine Corps The engineer cadets must
20 into the Engineer Corps. There are now only
fifteen vacancies in the line and only two retire
nen., before June can. with certainty. be counted
upon The Marin" corps has no vacancies. and
there Is no probability that any Will be created in
the near future. Thor line on
GERS whose physical condition i not such that they
can perform seq duty. and these may be ordered be-
fore retiring boards and dropped from the active
lat This course would make the number OF Va
caucics IN the line and Marine Corps not greater
than twenty In the grade Of assistant engineer
there are eighteen untitled places. making the total
number Of vacancies thirtyeight for the class OF
r,rty-1ne Last year the surplus cadets ap-
roiuteI % the Engineer Corps by special act OF
Congress. II the benefits Of the act are construed
t. b. permanent In effect more OF the cadets VIII
secure appointment. Otherwise IL Is probable that
Two or three Will 90 into civil iife and possibly five
or SIX.
Interesting reports OF supplementary tests OF the
Carnegie ltluch experimental armor plate. have
been received at the Navy Department from Lieu
tenant Mason. The officer in charge OF The Indian
Head proving grounds This IL the plate which was
subjected to the double-rolling process In manu-
facture. and which gave excellent results In the
first trial In the supplementary experiments
l2-lnch gun was employed. only two rounds were
nred. The first project.". weighing so pounds. was
Griven by "A charge % i5OS pounds OF powder. Tho
striking velocity 2o37 fOot-seconds. and the
striking energy 2i419 foot-tons. The high velocity
was due to the fact that the powder itself was
being tested. and special attention was given to
the amount used. Lieutenant Mason pulled the
lockstring. 4 Notwithstanding armor-percing shell
OF normal weight and dimensions. hardened 10
two inches below bourrele employed 1t
struck the plate forty inches from the top thirty
six inches from the right edge. AMI forty-eight
riches TO the right OF hole made in the first trial
The line OF fire made an angle OF 10 degrees with
the normal line AZ the point OF impact. The pro-
Jectic penetrated the plate and backing: and broke
up into a large number of pieces in the backing
completely wreckins 1t directly In rear OF the I'M
pact The shot hole was clean and smooth
fused on the inside The hole made angle OF
II degrees with the surface OF the plate The hard
cred surface Of the plate was TAXED on all around
from fourteen to seven inches from edges OF i'm
pact and very slight front bulge was raised, the
highest point being $50 Inches 70 the right or the
impact The back bulge was entirely broken out all
around nearly flush with the rear surface OF the
The left end OF the plate was slowed TO the front
Tho whole plate was thrown bodily to the left
slightly IT Is quite probable Lieutenant Mason
reiet passed through the rear bulge as some pieces
~ base were found In the rear part OF the hole
Verse We particular pane s'"F' 0"S"uu'' OF trans
used The charge OF powder was composed of four
sections each weighing los pounds. and one cone OF
seconds and the striking energy z59s foot-ons
The sh"l. was OF the same type as that employed In
the first round. II penetrated plate and backing
and broke up into small pieces. seriously damaging
bourrcet got through the back bulge small pieces
OF the base having been found in the shot hole and
however. found he
~ the butt. The plate was cracked through from
an old to the new point OF impact and also to the
inches wide at the base and II inches high. was
broken ont. The oth through cracks in the plate
opened ont. and numerous fine surface cracks were
developed Tho surface OK The plate was faxed on
diameter Of the shot hole was 10 inches The hole
% degrees with the surface OF the plate. The rear
hG bulge %s was S ,c me gh M 6sh p The
to the right Of the impact turned up as fringe
witt Within ' the next Jew S' days the President, will
have at his disposal the appointment OF two gen
month MaiorC;encrai Mccook the last OF the IA
nous lighting McCooks,' viii retire account OF
taed the "g Of tG nc's S rSaSs at
generals General Casey's transfer will bring
the seniors in the other grades OF the corps
adier-General Merritt will succeed General Nc !
Cook. He is the senior brigader and has
an excellent record Besides he Is In all !
respects we'll qualified for the higher office. He is
regarded az one OF the most active OF the senior /
Army officers. and does not retire until June l6, /
1900 For the brgadiership the contest has become !
lively Nearly every colonel of the line. excepting /
those in the artillery are candidates for the place,
and their respective friends in political and social
life pushing their claims with much earnest !
ness. No applications have been received from !
co onels OF artillery. although they eligible 10 /
selection. Doubtless the fact that brigaders
have been taken from the artillery since the War OF
the Rebellion has discouraged officers OF this arm.
II is said the War Department that safe pre-
dlctlon can be made to which OF the candidates
will be promoted. AS General Casey's successor, |
Colonel Craghill Is regarded certain OF appoint
ment The colonel is the senior officer in rank !
after General Casey. In connection with his can
didacy the story is told that upon a recent occa-