New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-08
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Wa shington. May :

Washington. May
TO CLOSE RECRUITING STATIONS-Orders
have been given by the Secretary of War TO close
recruiting stations follows: The special regi-
mental recruiting station for the st Artillery, at
Jersey City and the general recruiting stations at
Buffalo Detroit. San Francisco and Baltimore
These orders have been given for the reason that
all needed recruits be secured at regular posts
at Buffalo Detroit. Baltimore and San Francisco
Will. far needed 10 fill vacancies existing from
Wayne. McHenry and the Preside Of San Fran
cisco. These posts are readily accessible from the
business portions Of the cities named by means or
streetcar lines. orders will soon be issued
closing up other special recruiting stations If the
present conditions continue
THE BAILEY MEDAL REVIVED.-Secretary
Long has issued general order reviving the Bailey
medal This medal was instituted by the late Rear
Admiral Theodorus Bailey with the object OF lncit-
ing apprentice boys of the Navy to greater efforts
in acquiring proficiency in their duties. Hereafter
the medal is 10 be regularly awarded each year TO
the apprentice making the highest percentage on a
Of the Atlantic and PaciAc coasts in alternate
years The captains Of training ships are to report
after each practice cruise the records including the
target records, of the apprentices and board OF
three Gcers appointed py tad mn
make recommendations thereon.
THE NEW GUNBOATS.-The first result of the
laying up of the big cruiser Columbia is manifested
in the preparation of orders by the Navy Depart
ment for the commissioning of the two new gum
boats the Helena and the Annapolis The Helena
will go into active service for the first time on June
be kept on the North Atlantic station for about
three months When thoroughly shaken down ing
will be sent out Of the foreign stations prop
ably China, TO relieve of the larger cruisers
WHO WILL BE PROMOTED?-The contest over
the coming vacancy in the grades Of major-general
and brgadier-general has become exceedingly live
" NJ Of q a
the last Cabinet meeting. considerable ma
jority Of officers of the Army on duty at the War
Department are Of the opinion that General Brooke
Will be appointed. There are a few, however,
who believe that General Forsyth will be the fort
innate man That an effort is being made 10 secure
the latter officers selection there Is no doubt.
Whether 1t will be successful remains 10 be seen.
The report is current at the War Department,
and some Of the best informed officers say II
seems 10 be we'll founded, that the President Is
seriously considering the ACCESSIBILITY Of advancing
General Forsyth with the understanding that he
will Immediately retire. Another report is that
the President is also thinking of promoting Cen
eral Bliss when General Forsyth retires The lat
ter officer would retire on account OF age IN Au-
gust, 1898 and the former would leave the active
list on April L. 1899. General Brooke does not re-
tire until July q. 1902 That agreement has
been reached is thought TO be a fact favorable 10
General Forsyth. II is said that Senator Hanna
is much Interested in this officers promotion.
Some of the friends of General Brooke are some
what apprehensive at the prospect. They have
telegraphed TO the General to come 10 Washington
Immediately. and his early arrival is expected.
From what is said at the War Department Secre-
tary Alger favors the promotion OF General Brooke.
Nothing definite can be learned as 10 PRESIDENT
McKiniey's preference. Should il be true that he
intends to advance Generals Forsyth ana Bliss
In succession that these officers Will retire I'M
mediately afterward, and that General BROOKE
would then be advanced. he would nave at ms
disposal the appointment Of three major-generaIs
once This is most unusual. But that Is not
all Each major general appointed means ms va, va
canCy in the grade OF brigader- general Therefore
the President can, II he chooses. appoint IN the
few days not only three major generals. but
three brigader generals. OF the colonies who may
become brigader generals in the event Of three
vacancies occurring. the names of Colonies Andet-
son. Miner and Frank arr now most prominently
mentioned. The friends of these officers are legion,
it is said at the War Department Many other
colonies who are asprants for the single star are
not without friends in social and political life,
who doing all in their power for their favor
ties. but their adherents seem at least TO be less
numerous. II General Brooke IS promoted the
guess at the War Department is that Colonel
Anderson will be selected He is not the senior
colonel. but he retires in January. 1900. nearly a
year before the senior. Colonel Merriam. Colonel
Polands name is also spoken of favorably at the
War Department. The names of at least dozen
colonies and their records being considered.