New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
THE TRANSPORT SERVICE.
BELIEF THAT 1T SHOULD BE TURNED
OVER TO THE NAVY.
PLANS FOR TRoopsHIPs PREPARED BY THE


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington Oct 1.-The scandals Of the Army
transports which began soon as the chartered
vessels assembled at Tampa 10 take General
Skaters corps to Santiago, and have continued
almost the present time, with rapidly diminish
ing gravity, however. in the last month or SIX
weeks is expected 10 call for the application Of
radical remedies as soon as Congress meets. and
most Of the leading officials Of the military service
are already announcing their intention of recon-
mending that the whole matter OF marine trans
portation be turned to the Navy. wheie the
experience OF foreign Powers has shown it TO
belong.
The lack Of knowledge this subject displayed
BY The transportation officials OF the Army has al
ready led TO disastrous confusion and most waste
full expense. but the QuartermasteTs Department.
having the matter In charge. has successfully re-
sisted the overtures of naval officers 10 relieve
them Of their embarrassments and responsibilities
and until Congress has opportunity TO act on
the matter there can be relief. No single feat
OF has been the subject Of such severe
criticism that Of the Transports and the current
monthly magazines fun OF It.. The British mill
tary and naval attaches at Washington have pub
rcly expressed establishment that the United States
has not taken advantage of the excellent system
which prevails abroad where the transportation OF
soldiers has been reduced TO science. and the
Naval Board on Construction has gone so far as TO
make tentative plans for modern transport vessels
ment with horses equipment and stores, half way
around the world
Under the circumstances the following mem
orandum on this subject. prepared IN the bureau OF
Navigation by Captain +. NJ. Dickns, on July 70
last is Of peculiar interest:
The following cablaeram was received today
from Rear-Admiral William 7 sampson United
States Navy. commanding North Atlantic fleet:
"ln view Of the close relations OF me Army and
Navy which must exist in such operations as the
present and 10 avoid friction sPeGic resuatons
governing the combined action or me Two services
are necessary. | would recommend ihe adoption
once Of the English regulations on ms ssunject.
including transport service. which exist IN fu DE-
tail. The inexperience has been far larger than
DDS would be perfectly adaptable 70 ourselves, II
their regulations for combined action are not IN
q. once through our naval attache."
In looking up information covering The subject
% tbs Once OF Naval Intelligence auy publication
relating the regulations covering the comeihen
! would suggest that cableeram be at once sent
naval attache at London 10 9FWard d 1ne so
From the Queens Regulations and Admiralty IN
Na1s seTv fSr as Is edent hs transport
service Is in charge OF the naval branch o Oh men
G fSI" as II states 9n p ss follows:
Whenever any Of Her Majestys land forces shall
be fbe oeers and Soldiers from the time
embarkation, shall strictly observe the laws and
dlscipIre Of Her Maiestys Navy, and for these
purposes shall be under the command OF me com
naval officer present; and all military officers and
other persons under the equivalent rank OF cap
tain ROYAL Navy taking passage ana al military
ofohrs in actual command for the time being or
any Of the troops embarked. through whom orders
10 the troops Given by the officer or the Watchl
are REQUIRED 10 pass, shall be under the command
OF the officer OF the watch"
This shows cOncusively. think. that the trans
port service IL entirely In the hands OF the naval
establishment ., ,,
,rbis article Is followed by several others giving
detailed Instructions In advance OF receiving the
negotiations covering the combined action OF tho
two forces Il Nigh; be good pan after Que con-
sultation and arrangement with the war Depart
ment 10 make a beginning by following the Eng
Ish REGULATIONS so far they apply TO transport
service as they could. In all probability. be maze
easily adaptabe to our service, ana also Tor the
reason as Admiral Sampson states, That the Eng
iisb experience has been far larger than that or
anv other Power Their regulations covering these
matters are OF course. the result or experience ana
active operations covering long period or
wears and for that reason alone would. thlnk.
he safe 10 follow. and which. OF course, could be
nodded from time time. when applied TO our
service as experience might dictate
AZ the outcome Of this recommendation Comno-
dore Crownnsh!old proposed 10 the War Depart
rnent mat a board consisting Of three Army Off
cars and three Naval officers be designated 10 study
the subject and submit a plan Of action. This the
Army declined to do. but appointed board or us
ovn and decided 10 improve the ships Which hah
ALREADY been purchased and 10 continue the vessels
with civilian mariners under quarter masters DIS