The Washington times., 1902-12-28
PROMOTIONS IN NAVY
FOR ENLISTED MEN
Comment of Retired Naval
Officer on New Scheme.
INDORSES BRITISH ADMIRAL
Advancement of Warrant and Petit
Officers Receives Powerful
Support.

/ A retired naval officer commenting
upon the opinion OF Admiral Fremantle,
OF the British navy. that not less than
six nor more than ten warrant and pet
ty officers should be promoted yearly TO
lieutenancies. says:
/ THE strong and growing sentiment in
the United States for improved condi
tions with prospects of advancement for
the enlisted man in the navy has re-
eeived from an unexpected source pow
erful support in the declaration Of Az
miral Fremantle.
Coming from such high authority,
( from so conservative a source. and FROM
an officer in a navy where the line be-
tween officer and man is drawn so rigid
1 ly. this declaration is doubly welcome
and thrice OF value tG those in this coun-
try who look with favor upon the liberal
probabilities OF Advancement OF the sol
| dier In our regular army. and upon the
possibilities OF elevation in The navy arm
Of worthy. capable. and deserving petty
officers whose abilities have earned for
them the rank they hold, and who ought
! TO be entitled to higher positions as log
ically as the soldier wto advances from
4 the ranks 10 an officers commission.
I Provision for Advancement.
/ In the naval appropriation bill ap-
proved March 9, 1901 provision was
made for the advancement of not more
/ than six warrant officers to the rank OF
ensign. There have, however. been but
three gunners promoted 10 this grade
| thus far The fact that three warrant Of
/ ficers have risen from the ranks in the
American navy to the quarter deck is
matter Of moment and Of congratulation
to those who believe in the infusion OF
fresh blood IN the naval service OF the
Republic
1T seems but few years ago thai
the enlisted man in the navy was triced
up by the thumbs and fogged, and other
wise treated as though ne were soIlc
kind OF a human being different from
the men who wore the sword. though TO
our credit the American navy never suf-
fered from this disgrace as did rfe ma
vies OF the other powers. AS I under
stand. Admiral Fremaatle would make
these advancements positively. each
year. and he further recommends that
tho selected men serve six months at
the Royal Naval College. to the end
that they might become proficient as
good. practical navigators ana guunery
officers.
Work Of Secretary Long.
In the laudable effort inaugurated by
former Secretary Long to give deserv-
ing and competent men chance to step
from the deck 70 the bridge the Ameri-
can navy leads the world. though steps
along similar lines have been taken by
the German navy. Such highly credi-
/ table action Is but fulfilling the tradi-
tions Of our Republic that its humblest
citizen may aspire to the highest ofTce
within it's gift. though confess my sur
prise thai the full quota OF petty officers
has not each year thus far completed the
yearly complement.
There Is scarcely a day that comment
OF some kind is not made in the public
prints upon the absolute necessity OF
providing more officers and men for the
navy. and Congress Is being at present
urged, with good prospects OF success,
/ 10 increase the appointments OF cadets
20 Representatives and Senators to two
each. and 10 largely increase the Presi-
dents quota. Il cannot be doubted that
the navy would attract higher class Of
enlisted men were the percentage OF ap-
pointments from the ranks increased
along Admiral Fremantle's suggestion.
and made each year from the exceIIeut
material that there must be on the
decks.
In any event, the English admiraIs
/ considerate remarks. coming at the very
time when the Secretary OF the Navy is
/ before the Naval Committees Of both
houses OF Congress urging that imme-
diate and ample legislation be provided
TO increase the number OF enlisted men
and officers In our own navy, are some
what OF a coincidence, and Of decided
/ practical value, it would seem to me-"
Z