The morning times., 1896-07-08
HARD WORK .E0R THE NAVY
Orders Contemplated RevOking
AllIeaves of Absence.
WILL DRILL ALL SUMMER
Ships TO Be Put In Commission as
Rapidly as Possible and All Of
ficersGiyen iveDuty-Herbert's
Plan Is 10 .Teuch Them Actual
Service Conditions.

Quite considerable stir has been created
by the circulation OF statement, based
on high authority, that orders have just
been issued by the Navy Department direct
ing all officers on waiting orders to report
at once Tor duty and at the same time
revoking all leaves OF absence.
This Is most unusual proceeding and
would not ordinarily be regdrded as neces-
sary except in case OF actual or Immediate
ly prospective war. Such action is SUP.
pusei to Indicate that every available sllp
will at once be placed in commission and
gwen a full ccmpietement OF officers and
men.
A number Of idle officers will also prob
ably be utilized in duty at the various gun
and ammunition works TO hasten completion
anu Shipment OF naval stores and munitions
OF war. Work OF this character will be
materially facilitated and expedited by
reason of the fact that the appropriations
for the present fiscal year have all be-
come available for expenditure.
FASTENING ENLISTMENTS.
The process of enlistment will be hast
ened So that the Thousand men authorized
by the last naval bill may have the benefit
OF the midsummer evolUtions. Without
them it would practically be an impossible
ity to properly man the three or four ships
now out OF commission.
There has for sune time been a desire on
tine part of the naval authorities to make
the evolutions of the various fleets this
year more exhaustive and thorough than
any OF their predecessors. For this rea son
extensive preparations have been in prcg-
ress, but it had not been determined to put
all the ships into commission or to call
III those officers who were absent On leave
or waiting orders.
But Rear Admiral Bunce, commanding the
North Atlantic squadron, gave the enthI-
siasm 4 new impetus in a report which has
Just reached the department, to the effect
that his squadron will begin its summer
maneuvers about the first Of next month
and continue them for six weeks or two
months.
RESORTS WILL BE AVOIDED. O..
Secretary Herbert has fully decided that
the evolutions of the vessels this season
shall consist solely Of hard work, with no
dress parade attachments or play. The
North Atlantic squadron will operate from
New York along the coast OF New England
and the fashionable resorts will be omitted
from the list or places where stops Will lie
made, only the necessary supplies being
taken on from time to time.
1t is even expected that the officers un-
dergoing course OF Instruction. in the Naval
War College at Newport will tie forced TO
ferego the usual privileges OF EeinS per-
mitted TO cooperate with the fleet OF evolu-
ton. although this point has not yet been
definitely decided.
While there is no war cloudin sight which
gives evidence of alarming Development,
il is the intention and policy OF Secretary
Herbert to get the new Navy on practical
footing of such efficiency as might be
i'm Immediately of utility in the event OF
foreign complications.
TASTE OF REAL WORK.
The officers and men will be given taste
of actual preparations for hostilities, and
then iftrouble comes later with Spainor Eng
land. the service will be the better for the
experience Of the coming six weeks or two
months.
In addition to everything else, the man-
cuvers of the present sea son will make a very
desirable show OF force in time OF peace
and will constitute good object lesson
to some of the European Eations who might
contemplate the Encouragement OF unpleas-
antness with the United States under the
misleading impression that this government
possesses no navy worthy the name anC
would neither be formidable as a mea ms Of
defense to the country nor as menace
to tn com merce of a hostile foreign nation.
The U. S. s. Minneapolis. 1t is probable.
will soon receive orders detaching her from
the European station and ordering her
home.