The National tribune., 1897-10-21
ARMY AND NAVY GOSSIP.

Rear Admiral Selfridge, commanding the
European Station is TO be recalled and placed
on waiting orders pending his retirement under
the age clause next February. His successor
will be Commodore John A. Howell, Command
ant of the League Island Navy-yard and Presi-
dent OF the Armor Board.
Rear-ldmiral McNair will be relieved by
Comm odore George Dewey. President of the
Inspection and Survey Board. and for many
years located in Washington. Admiral McNair
has been in command Of the Asiatic Station for
TWO years, and is entitled to shore service. lie
has notlong to serve OH the Active List.
The Army has at last secured q nine cents per.
day ration. One of the Army Surgeons who
witnessed the practical test of the ration in the
field has submitted an interesting report deal
ing with the physiological aspects OF the ex-
pertinent lie finds that daily allowance
to each man of eight ounces of hard bread, five
ounces of bacon and two ounces of pea meal.
with coffee, saccharine, SALT pepper, and
tobacco young men lost more of their weight 4
than older men; short men lost more than tall
men, and heavy men lost proportionately more
than light-weigiits. The Surgeon holds that
the manner i'll whieh the men utilize their
ration of bacon had much to do with their loss
Of weight.
1t is proposed to operate the gun carriages of
the new battleshps Illinois. Wisconsin,, and
Alabama by electricity instead of hydraulic
power Tho results attained by the use of
the latter system ships of war. while sat
is:actory in many respects, is criticised by the
naval engineers. The feature which is most
potent, however, in determining in favor OF
electrical apparatus is the economical advan-
tages. 1t is estimated that at least SO, 900 will
be saved by the adoption of electricity for the
purpose, instead of steam or hydraulic power
A publication issued from the Office of Naval
intelligeL CO last week reviews the steady prog
rcss all naval powers are making toward ln-
e1,o,., ofJfat, ia
given, which indicates that hundreds of mil
lions are being expended
Great Britain is building more batte.ships
than the United States has in commission, and
her feet of torpedo boats will be far greater
than the number OF United States merchant vos.
sells engaged in foreign trade The figures seem
appalling when compared to the naval policy
Of this Governments. The naval estimates for
the fiscal year ending next Spring amount to
$106 274 427, being slightly in excess those OF the
preceding year. In the coming year 1t is pro-
posed to begin four battle-ships, three third
class cruisers. two sloops, four twin-screw gun
| boats and two torpedo boat destrOyers. France
has in process of building or contemplated an
| immense navy. 1t is reported that her plan
| coutemplates the construction of 220 vessels Of
| all classes.
Gen. Thos. c. Sullivan. Commissary. General of
| Subsistence, has made his annual report of the
| operations of that Department to the Secretary
| of War. Tho total cost OF subsisting the Army
during the year was $l,972,703 Gen. Sulli.
van says that an experimental trial of the
emergency ration was undertaken by Troop E,
LIST Cav, at Fort Sill. Okla, upon - days'
| prastico march in May. 1897. As q test under
| tho conditions given the results seem to 60 9
long way toward establishing the efficiency of
the emergency ration rs o means of sustaining
shc muscular power and activity of men under
prolonged physical strain; but its full effioi-
ency needs yet to be tested by men situated in
or moving in moro critical environment.