The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-09-16
Radical Changes to Be Made in
the Rules.
SEA CRUISE MAYBE ABOLISHED
The Term "Cadet" to Be Done Away
with and the Boys to Be Known
as Midshipmen From the Begin
ming ModificatioB of Examina.
tioos Suggested.

Changes of the most radical kind in the
rules governing the course OF study and
other matters connected with the United
States Naval Academy, are recommendedi in
the report of the visiting board ot Con
gressrnen. winch will be made public in d
few days. Several members OF the visit
| ing committee are even in favor of removing
| the academy TO another site, but this W as
az part of the formal report. There is
d general feeling that the academy should
he situated on the seacoast where IL could
be visited by large naval vessels. Secre-
tary Long ana Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt are known to favor the principal sug
cestions OF the committee.
The most important change is suggested
in connection with the curriculum. IL IL
proposed 10 abolish the two years cruise,
W .Iich is at present required OF ell cadets
before they are given the rank of ensign,
and Considered TO have passed from the
jurisdiction or the academy. The sea
cruise is believed 10 be feature IT the
course which does not warrant the time
expended. The training during the four
years In the academy is thought ID furnish
all the knowledge necessary To the eff
cient parformanceo Of the duties of an ensign.
Under the present arrangement one
which has heen in force since the founda-
tion of the academy students in the insti-
tuition are termed cadets until the end of
The four years course preceding the two
years assignment 10 sea duty. At The end
of the f,ur years, when graduation" oc-
ours, the cadets hecome uidship:sscn. At
the end OF the two years cruise they be.
come ensi-ns In he United States Navy.
Under the proposed arrangement, stu
dents VIII be known as midsipmen from
the beginning of the course, and the old
term, cadet" Will be the name of the past
At the end of the four years they Willie en-
sIgns Ia the regular service, and the first
sea cruise VIII be on board ship as fun
fledged members of the Navy, without the
jurisdiction of the Naval Academy authori-
ties.
Another important departure from the
present system suggested by the Committee
in its report TO the Secretary is the abolish
ment OF the rule by which cadets ia the
academy at the end or three years, follow
divergent lines or study, according To
whether they are to be engineers or follow
the line. The committee is unaniInous in
the opinion that every cadet shUIld have !
ali the knowledge OF naval engineering
which the academy can provide before he
becomes an ensign or before ne Is above /
10 enter the Navy in any capacity. A mem
Der of the committee said yesterday:
Il believe that i'm these days OF improved
navies and under the present condition OF |
expert naval tactics and OF modern gunnery |
every candi date for the Navy should be re-
quired to possess all pussfble knowledge Of /
en cheering. So we have proposed to make 1
no discrimination among Ca diets in the course
OF study TO be pursued at the academy. |
All of them viii have 70 take the engineer
ing curse during the fourth year at An
hapcls and there will be a great deal of /
stress LAID un that course il our Suggestions
arc adopted
IL the slggestons of the visiting conn
ni; tee s'.s.llG he carried out, the course in
the academy would be heightened some
" hat thorchthecruise would he bandoned.
The committee suggests that nominations
Tor cddel slips be made ON September 1-of
each yVar, and .hat lie examination Cor
N, rahce take place on the April first fol
owing. It is further proposed that tue |
cadets enter the academy on May /, one
month after the entrance examinations
have been taken. I'rder the present regu
ations entrance IT, the academy occurs on
lctober
The new arrangement, therefore, would
provide for five months of extra study in \
he academy. the graduation occurring in
he saihe month as az present. 1t is sug-
rested that the extra five months be spent
II studies and training, which are some
y hat preliminary in character TO the work
If the curriculum as now prescribed Tie
studies of that perioG would be principally
echnical in kind.
A nsodificstion of the examinations for
ntrdnCe TO the academy is suggested.
he visiting hoard recommends that more |
ttention be given by candida ties for cadet.
hips to naval history and he lives of some |
+ the great caval leaders OF toe United
tates. II is proposed that regular ex-
mination bc given in naval history and ,
n the lives of naval comma nders of past | ,
ears In addition 10 this it is suggested |
hat the candidates be required TO know
10 tachpical lQScripf ion af INV la ftIocl,s,. l.