New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
ARMY NOTES OF INTEREST.

An amusing story appeared in print few days
ago that Major George W. Davis OF the 1lth In
fantry was likely TO be quartermaster-genera
when General Batchelder was retired So far as the
fitness Of Major Davis is concerned. there has not
been nor would there probably be any question
raised but there's a section IN the Revised Statutes
which stands in the way Of appointing Major DAVIS
and neither the Secretary Of War nor any one else
except Congress will be likely to say, WHATS
little thing like the United States Revised Statutes
between friends?' Section 1873 OF the Statutes. IN
brief IS that the quartermaster-general. the adJu-
tant-genera the commissary general the surgeon
general, the paymasergene the chief or en-
gineers and the chief OF ordnance shall be APP
pointed by selection from the corps TO which they
belong" Until this is repealed no line officer. nor
any officer OF any other corps than thar OF me
Suartermaster-generaI Major Davis is said to be
we'll qualified. and he Is also popular
There seems to ,be an unusually large number Of
as2irants for the four vacancies now existing in
the Medical Corps. to Judge from the applications
for the official circular recently issued as to the
requirements and Information 10 the life pay,
rank duties and opportunities for professional study
and practice
The two vacancies existing in the Subsistence De-
partment are also much sought after by officers OF
the line who are eligible. large number Of first
lieutenants have filed their applications for COM
petitive examinations for vacancies in the lowest
grade Of both the Subsistence and Quartermasters
departments.
Tho bicycle record OF the Army has been broken
by Lieutenant William r. Abercrombie. Of the %
Infantry who achieved prominence a distance
rider some time ago. On June G he left Omaha for
Chicago and reached the latter place with a record
of e;ghty-six miles a day. The record before that
stood fftyeght miles day made in 1898 by several
riders from Fort Meade Neb.
The lack Of places for the Military Academy
Of iS a continued Interesting
discussion In official circles at Washington as well
as military circles at West Point and the stations
The proportion of places Of less than one to four
graduates Is condition that has never occurred
before and the process of absorption through the
rest OF the year must be slow. Even with the most
liberal estimate Of casualties, the opinion is that
not more than fifty Of the class can be assigned TO
companie between and January /. 1881. and
then there will be twenty-.hree to be provided for
before the class is graduated in June. 1897
The serious question then will be to dispose OF tho
class Of 81 OF they can receive certificates
but there Is a vast difference between certificates
and commissions succession OF years Of cerf-
Gates Of eligibility in place Of shoulder straps would
probably be detrimental to the West Point system
especially as through the increase OF numbers Of
cadets by reason OF increase in the number OF
Representatives In Congress through the reappor-
tonment under the census OF 1880. there VIII be
more vacancies needed If. too. there should Re a
still further increase by giving an appointment 10
in the first session of the present Congress- the
situation would be still more complicated Again
In another four years there may come further IN
In the number OF Rcpresen atives In Congress
1 by reason of the census showing an increased
| population What Is the remedy? This is ques-
ton being discussed by people Of the Army. and It
has been suggested that the standard should be
raised l. G.. increase the course from four TO six
years Such solution Is being favorably discussed
| In the service.
| The Army will have TO be alert else the Woman
suTragsts will swarm down upon It, The action
Of tho council Of the Officers Club at Fort Leaven-
| worth may some Of the women TO protest
against the exclusion Of their sex. 1t has adopted
a resolution that women should not be allowed in
the neighborhood OF the sancum sanctorum Of their
organization II is not because the club has adopted
OF the horrible secrets terrible oaths OF the
Free Masons or the college fraternity known the
Skull and Crossbones." hch they fear their
wives sweethearts mothers or sisters will d.
vulge. On the contrary. it is a tit-for-tat game
| During the warm evenings recently. many women
have been entertained on the club veranda by the
young oTicers against the objection Of those who
| were not included hence order followed limiting
the privilege OF public promenade on the veranda
OF the club building 10 members only There is con-
| siderable resentment at this action by those who
favor the visits Of the women
| The krag -J0rgensen gun Is not humane gun.
| This IL the conclusion Of those who Witnessed the
test recently at Fort Riley Kansas TO demonstrate e
the relatively humane effect OF the OF this
weapon as compared with other Army rifles. The
! test was made dead bodies. Three corpses were
placed side by side in erect position mt the base
Of a HILL and paper target was placed In from; OF
each body 10 furnish a sight for aiming. The sharp
shooters at distances OF 1000 yards. and then at
1900 yards fired first by singles and then by volleys
Examinations were made at intervals and phoio-
graphs taken OF the wounds. II was shown
that the explosive quality OF the krag-Jorgensen
gun terrific and cruel. that Il is most marked IN
soft tissues and cavities. the brain and lung tissues