The Washington times., 1903-01-18
Technical and Practical
knowledge of Nautical
Affairs Considered Neces-
sary to Bring Battalion Up
to the Proper Standard.
Officers Derelict in Rifle
Practice.

nave no technical knowledge OF naval
affairs. General Hsrries has several Of
hcers under consideration for the ap-
pointmsnt. and VIII choose Hopkins sue
cessor in d few days.
Several OF The eIfgih.es are in Ibis
city. bet one. who has been DOING duly
in the Philippines. was summoned 10
take the examination for the position.
He left The archipelago some weeks
ago and arrived here Thursday. He Sc
cured ten days leave several hours at
ter his arrival here. and General Har-
RES did not see him
The officer viii spend his leave ~
Atlantic City. when he will return 10
Washington. Then General Harries.
with whom the selection rests, viii
make the appointment
Hopkins May Retire.
Just what effect this viii have upon
Lieutenant Commander Hopkins Is not
known The man In whose hands the
IeiDs VIII he placed viii have undis-
puted charge OF the battalion. He VIII
5e empowered TO make any changes lie
may deem necessary. for the good OF the
organization, and General Harries Viii
give his sanction
Lieutenant Commander Hopkins may
be retained in the battalion. and as sec
ond in command, but this is aot certai3.
The new commander might select for
his first assistant someone with a bet
ter knowledge of naval affairs.
General HarTies said yesterday that
his reason for deposing Lieutenant Com
mander Hopkins was that he wanted the
affairs of the battalion placed in III,
competent hands OF q man with thor
ough technical and practical knowI-
edge OF how IL should be conducted.
Lieutenant Commander Hopkins Is not
10 be blamed. General HaTries thiaks,
for not knowing something which was
never taught him, while the naval officer
who has pondered over naval questions
and maneuvers for four or FIVE years +.
supposed to know something about nau-
teal miles fathoTns, etc.
Technical knowledge Needed.
It is stated by the officials of .he
Navy Department, and the officers OF
the National Guard brigade. that they
have found, after a thorough and prac-
teal test. that technical knowledge
OF laval affairs on the part Of the com
handing officer Is essential for The de-
velopment and progress OF the 3attaIion
There was practically nothing Of more
than passing interest in National Guard
circles last week The officers were
pleased that the Dick militia bill had
passed both houses OF Congress. Sev-
eraI minor details of The measure viii
be settled in conferences by the mill
tary committee
There had been criticism b. the high
officials OF The Guard relative 10 The
utter disregard OF the lower officers for
the important duty OF rife practice.
Some officers have missed practice sev-
eTal times and this ii is claimed. sets
a bad example for the men in the ranks.
Some Of the officers have been taken
10 TASK for this Migrant violation OF
the rules of the organization and il IS
expected that the reprimands viii SUI
zee and nothing more VIII BE- needed
10 bring them in line A greater pun
izhment can be meted out TO offend
eFs.
The Iazity OF the officers has uumer-
Gus bad effects. II lessons the effcie IS
OF the craftsmanship OF the Guard and
haudicaps the organization iu other
ways principally through its iuaueue-
upon the men under the command OF
the offending officers.
Enlisted Men in the Lead.
The enlisted men DO better shooting
than the officers al all times They re-
port regularly whenever target prac-
tIce Is scheduled On the nights Of Jan
uary . and the men IN the ranks OF
the naval battalion reported 10 shoot
but no officers were on hand The naval
boys did excellent work without any
coaching from the absent officers.
Major Bell. as inspector general OF
rife practice is responsible for the
craftsmanship of the Guard. and he does
not propose TO let The matter rest He
has reported 10 General Harries and
some action is expected in o short
while He does not know what the pen
alry VIII be this time. but sincerely
hopes thar Iazity will cease
The regular scheduled regfmentaI AMI
company matches are shot OF regularly
on the indoor range The men received
good practice for their work on the
OrdUay Range fhis spring and summer.
Major Bell has abandoned the idea OF
securing lVo-yard practice range in
this city for the marksmeH and sharp
shooters Of the guard He was unable
70 dnd suitable place Tor the purpose,
and decided TO put By the matter until
some later day
The Inspector General states that a
telegraph match between the New Jer-
sey GuaFdsmen and the National Guard
OF this city viii BE- held soon Tho men