New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-23
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.I

AfNh-'e-'S
Washington November y.
RECOGNITION OF MERIT.-The General Staff
OF the army has decided to lend its influence to
the plan for legislation which shall provide some
special means of recognizing individual merit and
professional worth among officers Of the service.
hitherto officers who have done anything to de-
serve reward have been recognized in the sub
stantal way OF promotion TO the grade OF briga-
der general regardless OF their rank In the line.
II Is found that this practice is little short OF de-
rnoralizing to the officers who are overslaughed.
An attempt will therefore be made TO enact law
which Will provide some way a means Of
ward without the virtual punishment upon all
other officers who have done their dug. The
essential feature of the scheme is the creation Of
distinguished service list consisting Of a number OF
field officers captains and first lieutenants addi-
tiOnal officers in these adee tba lief 10 he fIIed
by the promotion of officers Of the next lower
Vice without prejudice to their seniors in excep-
uonal cases by advancement two grades
THE DISCHARGE OF ENLISTED MEN-sen-
ator Cockrell. member of the Senate Military
Committee has been loking into the provisions gov
erning the discharge OF enlisted from the army.
His inquiry suggested by numerous complaints
which have been made TO him and other Senators
and Representatives TO the unwillingness OF the
War Department TO grant requests for discharges,
especially in the case OF minors. The means OF
getting out OF the army. the Senator finds, are
numerous and liberal. In the cases OF minors, an
honorable DISCHARGE. as favor: is never granted
II the parents insist upon the discharge OF SON.
award punishment in shape Of fine and imprison-
his confinement the parents may claim and receive
the soldier who, If dishOnorable discharge is not
awarded by the court martial which tries him. will
be discharged without honor. In either case II
would bar the soldier from subsequent enlistment
in the army.
SHORE AND SEA sIGNALs-Arrangement
have been made for INSTRUMENTATION between
artillery posts and ships OF the navy by means Of
signal masts which are to be installed along the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts. These masts may serve
the same purpose a means Of wireless teegraphic
communication. but the present purpose is TO en-
ploy them for visual signalling only. One Of the
strategic schemes under consideration In the joint
non Ig asf a. ba sea anu ided into disfrias
for this purpose. One Of the estimates to be sub
item likely to be Included in the Fortications act
so that this work may be undertaken. The board
Of army officers. Of which Major George Runin;
Quartermaster, was president, has been looking up
the question. and submitted elaborate scheme
important coast forts. new service code will be
adopted SO that in time Of war MESSAGES 11e ex-
to Wireless telegraphy. while visual signalling may
he as exclusive in its SYMBOLS as a complicated
code can make IL.
THREE HORSES FOR NAVAL OFFICER
Naval officers wondering why Rear Admiral
H. T. B. Harris. the Paymaster General Of the
navy. wishes to keep three horses at government
expense. the theory that these animals used
by him IN the performance Of official Duties and
probably that genial officer will be the object OF
much railery the part Of his associates in the
service on account Of the question. which has
Gently been referred 10 the Controller Of the Treas
ury by Secretary Moody. In general terms. il pre-
Navy Department entitled 10 forage.
keep three horses, he receives army pay and
allowances under the Naval Personnel law, and
he regards himself entitled TO this forage per
Quisite. The Controller evades the question by
saying that officer may keep one horse. more.
according to his rank. at government expense, pro-
vided his Official duties require the Of the
animals. He leaves the question OF Rear Admiral
Harris's privilege in that direction to the Navy
Department. the ground that the Paymaste
Generals need Of three horses is a matter 10 be
settled by the administrative authority
NEW ARMY REGULATIONS.-The General staff
Of the army has decided TO revise the Army Regu-
lstiOEs. This book. which governs the conduct Of
the service was last revised in 1901 and year
later the twelve months accumulation OF amend
rnents at that time gathered into ample
appendix. Since then there have been numerous
changes in the text. that the volume, kept up
to date by marginal notes. IS a complex and tan
gled production. The introduction Of the General
STAFF system in the army has further complicated
the situation. and the necessary changes in army
regulations have grown in volume so that il is now
found easier to issue a edition than to at
tempt amend the paragraphs OF the volume for
1901. This work will be taken up in connection
with the revision of the articles of war