New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-26
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
tFEoN THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington December %
The PORTO RICO REGIMENT Those who
are interested fin the bill transfer the Porto Eic
provisional regiment of infantry TO the ras,,lar
army have had occasion to revise the text Of the
Dill. 1t seems that the impression exists IN the
Sehersi STAN that ii would be unwse to transfer
ths ohlcers OF the regiment 10 the regular estab-
hshment There is. however. disposition TO an
iagonize the plan 10 make permanent the nresent
temporary organization OF the Porto Rican COM
'ii"hu Inc change is in line with the recon-
nieHuaIohs made by General C. ". Davis for
the organization of a colonial force Members
OF the Porto Rico regiment believe that they are
now confronted with the fight Of their lives and
uat during this session there will be determined
the question whether they shall survive pass
INTO history. There is much dependence placed
on the friendship of Senators CcckreI Alger.
Foraker, Burroughs, Quay and Lodge. The bill
as It is finally submitted adds nothing to the
numerical strength OF the command. and involves
no extra expense Of maintenance. It has do
with twenty-five officers now in service the status
81 whom has never been defined and whose posi-
ton is now 10 be leGalized. These officers form a
body Of specially trained persons comma nding a
regiment peculiarly fitted for tropical service and
speaking foreign language. No other regiment.
it is pointed out, is well qualified to meet the
conditions prevailing in the West Indies and in
Central and South America. and the value of such
a command just now is emphasized by the prospecte
that battalion of this regiment is TO be sent
Panama The revised measure provides that on
June 81, lSH the Porto RICO regiment snail con-
stitute infantry regiment of the regular army.
The captains. first and second eutenants and
assistant surgeons Of the present command in their
permanent regiment with rank. pay and allowance
possibIe viii be u iiled by promotions ACCORDING to
seniority and the remaining vacancies will be filled
army or who We're in military service during the
General stan of the army,
IONA ISLAND COURT.-There will be a court
martial ordered tomorrow by the Secretary of the
Navy as a result OF the explosion Of the naval mag
azine on Iona Island The court of inquiry institut-
ed at the time OF the disaster did not place the
blame definitely, and it expected that the IA
talty would pass into history without further Off
cial notice especially the people who knew
or who knew anything concerning the probable
of the explosion. were killed 1t is something
OF surprise therefore. TO learn that the depart
rial Of the gunner who has been regarded as only
technically responsible for the explosion There is
the witnesses are beyond call
GENERAL CORBIN MENACED.-A serious de-
feet has been discovered in the bill introduced in
the House which would have the effect if enacted
into law of giving Colonel w. P Hall the rank and
pay Of a brigadier general, while that officer is
acting adjutant general Secretary Root has dis
covered that the bill worded would result in
legislating out OF the army General H. c. Corbin
who is still the adjutant general of the army. al
though in command of the Department OF the East
The object sought by the author OF the bill VIII
probably be obtained in some other way. which
does not jeopardize General Corbn's commission
and which gives the acting adjutant general the
title and enoIument which should be his by virtue
OF the responsibilities and labor imposed upon him.
Secretary Root will call the attention of the House
Military Committee TO this incorrect wording and
probably the mistake will be corrected.
THE LAWRENCE DISABLED.-The Navy De-
partment has been advised that the torpedo boat
destroyer Lawrence was disabled in a storm off
Hatteras while on her recent run with the second
torpedo fotHa from Hampton Roads TO Key West.
Repairs. which will consume a month, will be made
al Key West.