The San Francisco call., 1896-08-08
Awarding of the Contract Means
Much to American Ship.
Builders.
MILITARY AND NAVAL GOSSIP
The Intention of Removing Cavalry
Troops Permanently Stationed
at the Preside.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. THE
Japanese Government Is expected to an
nounce within the next month its award
of contracts for the three cruisers whose
construction it has determined upon. The
bids submitted by the Union iron Works
and the Cramps were classified by the
Board of Japanese Naval Officers which
recently Assem- bled here, and have been
sent to Toxic for the Japanese Govern
ment's action.
In addition 1t is believed that bids of
French ship builders on the Japanese
cruisers have been sent to Toxic.
The general belief in Washington is
that the contracts for the vessels will be
distributed-one going to the Union Iron
Works, the second to the Cramps and the
third to French firm.
The matter is subject of considerable
speculation in naval circles and among
shipbuilders, for the placing of contracts
in this country by Japan will mark the
entrance of the United States in the naval
ship-building competition of the world.
1t is positively denied at army head
quarters that there is any intention of re-
moving the cavalry troops which are per-
manentiy stationed at the Presidio and
scattering them at other points along the
coast. The Presidio is now headquarters
of the Fourth Cavalry, and four troops of
this command are stationed there in addi-
ton to six batteries of the Fifth Artillery.
The cavalry force is now in the Yosemite
National Park, guarding it against tres
passing and conducting maneuvers which
were ordered by General Forsyth, under
- inc ofruo IN hxr 10
General Miles.
According to the report, the cavalry
troops were to be relieved by force of in
fantry. The only foundation this report
has is probably in a programme which
General Miles recently laid before the War
Department, which contemplates the dis
tribution of the artillery force of the
United States instead of cavalry troops.
General Miles believes that the artillery
regiments should be so distributed as to
be in position to immediately use the
batteries being erected in case their use
should be necessary. Under the pres
ent arrangement of artillery they are some
distance away IN many cases from the
points where the batteries are peing con-
structed.
General Miles has urged upon Secretary
Lamont the establishment of quarters
near these batteries, and when they are
ready there is good reason to believe that
the Fifth Artillery will be widely distrib-
uted along the coast. Several batteries
will, OF course, remain at the Presidio.
1t is possible that the batteries when
assigned elsewhere may be relieved by
infantry, but this is a matter of the future.
There is strong probability that Briga-
dier-General Otis, commanding the De-
partment of the Columbia, will be ordered
to Chicago to temporarily act as a men,
ber of the important army retiring board,
which will assemble in that city next
Monday.
He will be wanted to replace Major
General Merritt, who is the president of
the board.
Maior-General Merritt has approved the
recommendation made by the post sur
geon at Fort Sheridan that Colonel r. E.
A. Crofto n, commanding the Fifteenth In
fantry, be placed on the retired list on ac-
count of disability.
Colonel Crofton, it is understood, OBJ
iects to General Merritt acting as men,
ber of the board to examine him when he
has read the evidence submitted by the
post surgeon and favorably indorses his
recommendation.
There is only one other general officer
whom the officials consider available to
take General Merritt's place, in case
Colonel Crofton presses his claim. and that
is General Otis. In case of General Otis
assignment to the board, he will act as
member. and General Brooks, command
ing the department OF Dakota, will act as
president.
There is one officer stationed on the Pa
cific Coast who will appear before the