The evening times., 1898-10-01
PROMOTIONS ON THE WANE
Announcements in the Lists OF
Naval Officers Stopped.
MEDALS FOR GALLANTRY
A Probability That There May BE al
Reduction in the Numbers on the
Registry of Some Who Have Al
ready Been Advanced-Many In
creases for Excellent Conduct.

There seems to be a general impression
of officers as a reward for gallantry dur
ing the recent war. More than this,
there is reason to believe that the officers
who have been advanced-with the ex-
ception of Rear Admiral Dewey, who re-
ceived the thanks of Congress, and pos
sibly Rear Admirals Sampson and Schley
may be reduced to the numbers they
held before the commencement of the
war. 1t is understood that several officers
who were advanced have indicated TO the
authorities their willingness to return to
their old positions, provided they receive
in lieu OF promotion a medal of honor
and an increase of pay to the extent of
10 per cent, as proposed by the bill which
is being drawn up by Judge Advocate
General Lemley in accordance with the
directions of Secretary Long.
Gold MednI Adornments Probable.
The promotion board, of which Rear
Admiral Sicard is president, and Rear
Admirals Norton and Matthews men,
bers, has completed its examination of
reports made by officers concerning gal
liant deeds performed by their juniors. 1t
has prepared a list of 240 names. Oppo-
site the name of each officer has been
placed statement of the act of gallan-
try for which he is praised, and it will
now be the duty of the board to deter
mine the reward which should be given
to all or any of these officers. The board
will not, it is practically certain, recon-
mend the advancement of any officers.
If promotions were made in view of
the number now being considered there
would be a great overturning of the navy
list. and those who may have been or
may be advanced might be overslaugh-
ed by the promotion of others. The
board feels that the Secretary's plan of
a gold medal and an increase of pay up
to 10 per cent would be more satisfacto-
ry TO the service and a recommendation
viii, in all probability, be made that the
officers named by the board shall be re-
warded by a medal and an increase of
pay.
The Navy Department has received the
report of the board which has been ex-
amining candidates for the office of civil
engineer, to fill the vacancy caused by
the retirement of Civil Engineer A. G.
Menocal on September 4. The report
of the board shows that II. Fl. Rosseau,
of Troy n. Y, now engineer of the Pitts
burg Bridge Company, made the highest
percentage and Fred Thompson, OF
Washington, ID. c., was second. Mr..
| Thompson is an engineer in the employ
| of the Southern Railway.
There is every reason to believe that
the Navy Department will retain in the
service the converted yachts Gloucester
and Vixen, which participated in the bat
/ tie of Santiago. For the present these
! ships are TO be retained on duty with
| the North Atlantic fleet
The Secretary has directed that all of
| the warships now in service be retained
| in commission. The Administration pro-
poses to be in a position to dispatch a
| feet to the coast of Spain, If it should
become necessary to compel a compliance
/ with the demands of the Government.