New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-14
NEWS OF HENAFYAND ARMY
washington, Nov. IL.

80 ,sa ~ sbIns to prevent an enemy from APP
preaching within range Of the Army's sphere OF
repe.ng invasion. and about the last detailed PROF.
60, In the scheme. that Of communication between
ate and shore has been reported Secretary
Long by the Board. consisting Of Commander John
cobo,ler IIeutenants Charles Ii. Harlow and John
Gibbons with Lieutenant +. 4. Anderson. sigma
oAscer New-York Naval Militia. as volunteer mem-
har The question of communication was CONSUL
cred as divided In two general heads: First from
eco ~ shore and, second. from shore 20 sea- the
Owner being comparatively simple Their concur
s,ons are as follows: Communication from 80" "
.hore-Considerng the importance OF receiving ~"
formation from a distance beyond the rdiISc u
,,s,hirtv there seems to be but one method "hch
has already had sufficient success to warrant INC
Board recommending IL % the Des' i'e'noU "a
communicating from fleet, scoutiHS NVs'e
nicket-boat at distances ranging from "n ~
fifty mics. with possible extension Oh OH '
dred miles { g. the homing pigeon. rms o.
course is limited entirely 10 daylight pu' mus
much as the same difficulties when lhlii'"'' '9'
tbn successful use of the homing pigeon are pre-
.pt with the fleet or scouting vessel III oo'"",'is
Information the Board is OF the opinion that thls
service which already exists In The Navy bepdrt-
,nent should he extended as 10 cover suC"
points of coast as are within the cohioi Oh NV
Treasury Department or the various STATE navy
mtlas At night the use OF the searchllght LOT
distances of perhaps ten miles. and the very high'
signals within fifteen miles have Deeh eApeIi-
mented with 10 such a degree OF success 40 "
warrant It's recommending these TWO me'hocS
o,or,unica ting from sea to shore after niSh1ah,
"a Communication from shore 10 sea- IL Il mo-
,oIieved that any system CT flags in itself can De
relied upon with any certainty considering 'he
difficulties which calm onshore wihd, " nSAN
atmosphere and the peculiar character OF d SHUT
hoclqround present The Board is therefore OF
the opinion that some system based on the use
NJ shapes or semaphores is the only one Whlch
can be relied upon. There already exists. IN sec
,on ! Part g. Of the international code of signals
With which all lifesaving stations are e'ther sup
nued or can easily be supplied system OF distant
s,sna,s recurring "a ball pennant ana square
az or l9D a three-armed soma phorc. The scma-
phore however should be fitted with four Gle
ments instead of three. as it is believed tha' the
holding OF the display for any appreciate length
Of time Is OF much greater value than the te'po-
tary transient display which it is necessary 70
make with any semaphore having less than fonr
elements.
1t is thought that these four-armed semsphores
can readily be made 70 conform 10 the existing
codes or such codes could be easily and quickly
adopted meet the peculiar character Of the in
10 transmit. The Board believes that it is neces-
eary for these stations 10 have men thoroughly
conversant with The wigwag, code. and that, so
far as possible, 1t be required that they must be
prepared receive messages which are sent by ms
code IL also believes that the semaphoIe or shape
systems can readily be adapted TO meet The de.
the means of transmission OF intel igence from
such stations as may be selected 10 the main tele-
can, with the assistance of the Naval Militia, quick
ly be installed and afford certain method of trans
Having these systems in mind the Board has so
such as naval stations or strategic points, shall be
amply protected by the me hods proposed and has
the honor to submit herewith charts marked re,
specuvely and Of the Atlantic and Gulf and
the Paee coasts showing the points 6 al Waich IN
paratus should be installed and steps be taken 10
Instruct sufficient number of men az each one Of
them in the use of these appliances. so that the
system may be carried on. AT least eNperimentslly
their care and maintenance. The Board is fully OF
the opinion that the general supervision o. this
should be under the direction OF the Navy Depart
son saSn 21sS NAV ndsne eS Se wbn W
limits; that there should be general supervis ION
there Should be no departure by any one of the dis
trics from the general scheme, which is be direct
Inspection BY some oce ST app6ned &
and hat it viii devoye apon the Nava al? Militia TO-
make also semi-annual report as TO the efficiency
OF such stations as they may establish in their dis
Ii is suggested that the Naval Militia can very
cation within their districts. establish subsidiary
stations in connection with the coast signal sta
plans for the rapid connection Of ali stations With
the long distance telephone ana telegraph systems
engagements with the different telegraph companies
date and be able to report all changes the Navy
Department. Any scheme Of this nature will, Of
Department The Naval features Of IT should be.
in the opinion of the Board under the direction Of
the Bureau Of Equipment, and steps should be
taken by the Navy Department to secure sucn CO.
operation OF the Tressury DePa ia as o w m
defence. 1t is believed essential TO the success
Should be awarded 10 the men who may be called
upon to take charge of and manipulate the plants
lon that Compensation at the rate Of s. per month
extra for the keeper OF each station snoulo P pc
the use of signals be sdoped; and further that a
all guCh 2
nay be- upon inspection. found TO reach TINS stand
It is not thought to be within the province Of the
Board TO go into details of either pigeon c3te cor
Mailing The Bureau of Equipment is already sup
piled with SUFFICIENT Information to render the m
etalation of these methods a very simple matter.
Their expense Of course. will have 10 be subject
for speca for All 11 II viii amour, to
very considerable sum.
THE NEW MIssARY-GENERAL.-The APP
nointment has been determined % Assistant Com
rri.sary-G General William H. Bell on duty In
This CITY. as Comm sary-General OF Subsistence,
20 succeed General sullivan, who retired to-day.
The y "a y ma me bT Rs TSns { from the s
infantry OF Lieutenant larry Duya., VINO VIII III
Subsistence.
REPORT OF THE INSPECToR-GENERAL-
ono NJ the most important recommendations in
,he annual report. Of the Inspectof-Geneia OF the
Army is that "A fund be created for the Oenent 81
the widows and orphans OF military men, lie says
that the poverty and dcsolation OF these WIDOWS
and orphans sugees; that the Government Ike
some model corporations. should institute an IN
expensive system in the Army when wohld more
decorousy provided FOR this recognized eohlhsencS'
1bers ,s NOW q stoppaee against the soldiers pay
10 insure care for him In h!s old age, ana 1t Is
suggested that If similar reservation Is N maze ihe
from the pay Of persons hereafter aploi'eu IL
Army and the fund be Increased by me "'Ig ri
Of all the imposed on cominissiohfu ,,id he
by courts-martial the Ieilel inc'n'iVV rcar has
,uf3cient The work Of inspeCtion IN nc year d,'
shown The Army 10 be in all Us depat lhen'o H,
orally I'm a satisfactory condition, although oPpod
tunity was afforded 10 recommend nuinDet Ne
small changes in methods ana cqupire'a nnnoe de-
gree in the sights and it has not heen shown ~
he as Satisfactory In skirnsh WOrk az az hip" a.