The National tribune., 1896-03-26
ARMY AND NAVY,

Secretary Lamont's letter to the Senate Com
mittee on Military Affairs, in which he opposes
the adoption of the bill reviving the grade of
Leutenant-G General for the personal benefit Of
Gen. Miles, is creating vast amount of COM
ment in all branches of the Army aud to no
one was it greater surprise than to Gen. Miles
The Army believes that its head is entitled to
a rank greater than that held by any of the
Department commanders, or any officer, ia fact,
on the Active list and, aside from the benefits
that would follow to Gen. Miles by the proposed
bill, military necessity, it is argued, The
grade should he revived. The Army takes de-
cided issue with Secretary Lamont in his state
ment that Gen. Allles'S record does not entitle
him to further advancement and it points to
his services in war and in peace as certainly
more deserving of recognition than G Csc of
Gen. Schofeld. who received the promotion last
Winter Those who advocate Gen. Milcs's adj
vancement to the rank of Lieutenant-Gcneral
say that officer since the war has performed
more conspicuous or valuable services in Indian
campaigns than he. and regardless of his war
record this would alone cntitle him to further
promotion now. The Grand Army of the Re-
public has been aroused by the letter OF Mr..
Lamont. and is petitOning Congress daily To
give favorable consideration 10 the bill.
There are several cases now pending before
Congress Of Army officers who have been dis
missed from the service for various causes, and
who are seeking reinstatement, or else TO be
placed on the Retired List with their rank if
OH active duty. The majority of the cases are
of men whose record admits of no leniency Mt
the hands of the authorities. and none is likely
to be shown. They believe that their past
misfortunes may have been forgotten, but there
is always a record ready to DO sprung on them
at the War Department and to revive freshly
the offenses of which they were convicted.
Secretary Lamont does not believe in giving
this class of officers rehearing. and is satisfied
that the judgment of the courts-martial should
be considered and not oyerruled
There is soon to be launched from Cramps
shipyard the most powerful battle-ship ever
completed for the Navy, and ole of the icetest
OF her class in tho world The ceremonies arc
TO be witnessed by a large party from Washing
ton, including the Secretary of the Navy, proba-
bly, the Iowa Congressional delegation, tho
Governor of that State and his staff and other
distinguished citizens Three years ago Secre-
tary Tracy decided 10 call this vessel the Iowa,
and thus she will be named as she leaves the
ways for the Delaware River. The popularity
of the Iowa's design renders her unlike the
other three ba;tle-ships nearing completion,
and she is really the only seagOing battic-ship
designed by the Department Her immense
freoboard will make her efficient fighter
in the heaviest seas, and will enable her TO take
to the ocean and search for the enemy rather
than TO remain in around harb0rs waiting for
an attack. Her batteries are not so form liable.
perhaps. AS those OF the Indiana type, but she
carries more guns, aud account OF their
smaller calber eau deliver broadsies with
greater rapidity than any ship In the Navy.