The evening times., 1900-03-17

The order issued by Secretary Long ere
ating a board Of officers which shall have
general control Of affairs OF the Navy De-
partment in preparing for war and coast
defence. is exciting considerable discussion
in naval circles. Some naval officers say
they fear that the board will clash with
the bureaus Of the department in decis-
ions relative to the construction of YES
sells the armament. the motive power.
and other details, and that the confusion
that will follow will be detrimental to the
service.
The fact that there Is no provision for
a stan officer becoming a member Of the
board is another objection urged against
the proposition. Line officers under the
order will be in full control OF the board.
which IS not to the liking of the members
of the stam-
The power which il is claimed is given
the Chief Of the Bureau of Navigation is
another source Of criticism in some quar-
ters The order authorizes him 20 indi-
cate 10 the War College and the Intelli-
gerce once the information required from
them By the general board. and in the OBJ
sence Of Admiral Dewey he is TO preside at
meetings of the board and exercise tha
functions Of its president The center
tion is made that under this provision the
Chief Of the Navigation Bureau mas not
only the power TO determine what infor-
nation shall be furnished to the board and
to practically dictate the matters to be
considered but. II the reported purpose
of Secretary Long to appoint a rear ad-
miral as one Of the me mbers is carried out
the rule of precedence by seniority that
prevails in the Navy will be broken
In the absence of Admiral Dewey the rear
admiral il is contended. would be presided
over by junior officer as the present
Chief OF the Navigation Bureau. who.
while he has the rank OF rear admiral by
virtue OF his present temporary commits
sion as head Of a bureau, is only cap
tain In the regular service.
On the other hand. it is said. il should
not be overlooked that the Board was Gre
ated on the suggestions submitted by Capt.
Henry c. Taylor. after several years Of
study OF the methods Of foreign navies In
preparing for war. It's six eN-ofticio mem
bers are the men 10 whom preparations for
war are instTustJd by reason OF their on
clal positions in the Naval Sevice and who
would De- depended on IN time Of war "a
furnish information and advice pertaining
20 the conduct Of the American naval cam
pajgn.
The admiral would Of course 5e the prir-
cipal advisor Of the Secretary of the Ma =
during hlstilities. The Chief Of the Bureau
az Nayigat ion receives all reports is "A
naval operations the location Of host lie
ships and issues ali orders to Eaya. vh-
-ers. He is also the supervisory head OF
the Naval Intelligence once which is O
branch OF his bureau The other cN-ofilclC
members are the President OF ihe Nava
War College and his principal assistant
Vho prepare theoretical plans for war. anl
she Chief Intelligence officer ans .'is prir
~Ipal assistant who gather reports as t'
ihg war preparations OF other CrUrtriCs. tn'
condition ct foreign uavies, ans an ,ufar
nation taat would be valuable TO jh
United States in operating against AN enc
my.
The Chief of fho Bureau or Navigation j.
the principal executive officer of the NIyl
Department and as suoh. it i- said. NouH
naturally sake Admiral Dn8cy'- place 60
the head Of tha board I'm - AdmiraIs au
FrrcP
Two OF the three officers not members o
me board pN-o}ioio have not b,Cu select,
definitely but 30 appears 90 be quite certain
that one Of them viii bc Capt. French r
Chadwick who commanded tbg flagship
New York and was Admiral sampson
chief staff in the way with Spain. 10 i
said that ore OF the three viii be Captain
Taylor. the author o. the general stat
plan Lieut. Condr George II. Peters wh,
by yirt ie of his position as principal assist
ant 20 the Chief Intelligence Offcer. D.,
comes q member O. tie board re-
ceiyed orders yesfCruiy 20 hold EimscI
in readiness for duty as executive ofic'
- the Iowa. hIs tour Of shore service o.
pire1 His successor is the irtsliigeu,
nNILa will take his nlaLn ON Tho hllrl