New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-12


chase and installation of searchlights for the de-
fence Of New York Harbor and ether places along
the coast General Gillespie. the CHEF OF engi-
neers vas In favor of spending $4,000 to com
plete the system of searchlights at three of the
most important places. II found that the sys
tenn IS an important factor in night defence. and
practical experience with the adopted type during
the army and navy Tuaneuvres at Portland. Ne,
Narragansett Bay and or the eastern entrance &c
direction Most OF the heavy armament for the
coast detences is now in position, and good prog
rapid fire armament. The authorities cay we have
now reached the point where searchlights should
be installed.
AMERICAN GOODS ARE BETTER-The army
quarternasters who have to DO with the material
used in service uniforms displeased at first
with the comparison which has been made Of cotton
Khaki manufactured at home and that from abroad.
mis- comparison in disparagement Of the do
nestle product, and to settle the question finally
there have been some interesting experiments with
samples OF the American and imported goods, with
the result that the domestic khaki is found to make
sne better showing In the so-called laundry tests
the influence Of perspiration proved that the Amer
can sample was superior 20 the English goods
hoth products were exposed to the elements for
ing with the result that the American goods
Raj euFS3iIy gquaI 70 [adt OF the 6fiegs1
Genoit IONS and the results are supposed to set at
American goods.
RECALL ARTILLERY FROM CUBA.-The
Joint army and navy board which recently visited
the United States naval stations at Guantanamo
and Bahia Honda, Cuba, has reported that it will
be at least year before either of these stations Is
ready for a coast artillery force In view OF this
report the War Department has determined to
withdraw the artillery companies at Havana
and Santiago and keep them in the United States
until they are needed at the naval stations. The
companies d Santiago the 18th and 18th. and
those at Havana the 10Th and 22d. The reasons
a-3rr Vow obi ~
STAFF and Major General Chafee. his assistant, for
bringing the four artillery companies back 70 the
United States are the condition Of the water sup
ply at Havana and Santiago. and the lack Of ap-
lions at GUANTANAMO and Bahia Honda The water
Castle it is said had become contaminated. and in
order for the men TO remain until the two naval
stations We're ready for them. II would be neces-
TaFy to build new l@ pumping sfaF9 oa TINS was
member Of the joint army and navy board. en-
phatcaly denied the suggestion that Cuba might
arations 10 bring the troops back and will use the
transport Sumner. now at New-YOrk, for this pur-
pose. It is The present intention 10 have them de-
part from cuba. within the next fifteen days. one
North Carolina. one TO Fort Washington, Mary
land. and two to Fort Barrancas. Florida.
THE MACHIAS LEAVES DJIBUTIL.-A cable
dispatch received at the Navy Department to-day
announced that the gunboat Machias left Djibutil
French Somalland. to-day for the Red Sea. This
movement is not clearly understood the Navy
Department. for the Machias was under orders to
remain at Djibuul TO take Consul General Skinner
and his party back TO Marseilles. and far
known here, the Skinner expedition to Abyssinia
the capital Of King Menelik
PROMOTION FOR ARMY CHAPLAINS.-seua-
tor Scott to-day introduced a bill providing for the
promotion 10 the grade and pay Of major Of army
chaplaIns who have had than ten years ex-
perience. The bill has been approved by the Score
tary Of War.
NEW NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS After much
effort the chief constructor Of the navy. Rear
Admiral ". L. Caps. has obtained an increase Of
his corps. There were four vacancies in the per-
sonnet Of the naval construction branch, and for
time effort has been made to have assigned
to the corps young uns officers who would take
a postgraduate at the Massachusetts Insti-
tute Of Technology before entering upon the active
discharge Of duties. Efforts made by Rear Ad-
miral Capps's predecessor. Rear Admiral Bowles,
failed, owing 10 the opposition in the bureau Of
navigation TO the project. When Rear Admiral
Bowles resigned and carried with him another con-
struCtor there seemed additional reason why these
assignments should be made and Rear Admiral
Caps thereupon presented the question as one Of
great Importance in view of the increased demands
upon the officers of his corps He asked for four
officers, and three nave been designated
They Ensign James L. Ackerson.
who is attached to the Illinois; Midshiprnen
Donald r. Battles. of the Montgomery and
r D. Gatewood, Of the New-YOrk The latter is
the son OF the late Naval Constructor Richard
Gatewood, and some months ago was reported BY
the medical officers of navy as suffering from
chronic seasickness complaint which made duty
at sea very uncomfortable for him. Ackerson some
time ago applied for assignment 10 the corps, and
Battles was urged for the transfer by Senator Pen
rose, Of PennsyIvan Probably the latter Incl
three Of the four officers asked by Rear Admiral
Caps, since Senator Penrose is the Senate
Naval Committee, and the officials OF The bureau
legislation the coming winter. There is SIN one
corps, of
seventh viii occur in May, when Naval Constructor
snip changes on the Atlantic coast, viii go on the
retired list for age, He is the last of the con
designated for construction duty viii enter this
years class at the Boston Tech" on the compile
ton Of which course they will engage in their reg
ular duties
ARMY OFFICER DROPPED-In the list OF near
~ hundred army officers to the Senate this
week along with the denomination Of General
Leonard Wood, one name, which in the original
list submitted during the extra session as recess
appointment. does not appear. 1t is that Of Second
Lieutenant Horace Higgins. who was assigned to
the infantry and who report TO the
colonel OF the Ist Infantry on December !. His
recess appointment was dated October 10, but since
that date he has conducted himself in such a
manner that the War Department feels justified in
case is an unusual and this action on the part
OF the War Department serves TO cancel the ap-
continent by limitation al the moment of the ad-
SI tIieri,s comes from Ohio ana &c
enlisted man in the army. having been appointed
from the ranks he earned good record. He was
formerly sergeant major OF the 18th Cavalry. and
WORKED hard FOR his commission. The War be-
paItment authorities this is Of the in
stances where success has spoiled good man
SHORT MIDDIES NOT WANTED-The authori-
ties al the Naval Academy have declared against
.shorties" The regulations governing admissions
TO that institution in all these years have made no