New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-14
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU. ]

IEH0M THE TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington, May -.
CONTROLLING THE WIRELESS.-The General
Staf OF the army and the Joint Board OF the army
and navy have been considering the question or
government control of the wireless telegraph sys-
TENS OF the country after the practice abroad IL
has occurred to the naval and military authorities
that something of this kind must be done TO antlci-
pate the needs of protection in time. 1t is UNI
derstood by those in charge of the subject that
vision and actual control Of the wireless telegrapn
next pecember Another subject which has been
discussed Is whether the War or the Na Say depaT
tTv which nG nsga e e IS hs The Navy De
partmeat should have charge OF the subject
ARMY VACANCIES.-There was doubt
whether the captaincy vacated by the appointment
of Colonel A L. Mills captain. list Cavalry as a
brgadier general should be filled. there is much
question regarding the confirmation of that officer
by the Senate. There is bound to be a renewal OF
the protests from army sources against Miilss
promotion. especially he Jumps" some eight
hundred officers who have been senior to him. 1t
has never happened that the Senate has failed to
confirm recess appointments ,b in the army where
If in such an event Mills would find himself
out of the army by failure TO confirm him. OF
be retired, as he may do in July on the ground
wod ne ms Sb f9r scty t At @ n ny
and allowances: so long as he served without
on duty at west Point. unless special legislation
were invoked in his behalf. 1t has been decided.
however that it will be better ill the captaincy
which Mills vacates in the recess and should he
firm him. there will probably be some way OF ad-
justng the matter 10 the satisfaction of every one
NAVAL WAR COLLEGE WoRK.-The most i'm
portant session in the history of the Naval War
College at Newport is now being arranged by Cap
tain c. s. Sperry, president OF that institution.
There will be gathering of prominent naval Of
fcers. and, for the first time officers of the rank OF
rear admiral will attend the course Another feat
ure will be the presence of Secretary Moody. who
is expected to deliver the opening address. The
will be open throughout the year hereafter
law. With the assistance Of Professor George c.
Wilson. OF Brown University. and lectures by Of
fcers of the army and navy on technical subjects
viii take place. and it is understood that the
between Japan and Russia Will be an important
subject for study.
NAVAL DEFECTS DIsCUSSED.-The naval ord
nance experts who have been at Pensacola wit
Messing the target practice of the combined feet
have returned to Washington loaded down with
numerous theories and conclusions, which being
put into the form Of official reports with the OK
pectation that they will be considered by the de-
partment and referred TO a special board convened
for the purpose of overhaulng the entire ordnance
equipment of ships OF Conservative officers
are not inclined to the belief that there will be
many radical changes, but there is no avoiding the
fact that much that is revolutionary has been
viii be recommended. One OF the criticisms made
is that the vessels not sufficiently protected in
some vital parts against the fire Of enemy. One
officer describes the turret as located over a verl-
those on board and the vessel itself are in jeopardy
It is said that the saI[y OF every one ana the
tenn Of hosting ammunition were changed so as TO
deliver the powder and shell alongside. Instead OF
at the breech Of the gun, where the contents Of the
hoist in danger of being gnited from fare
Other defects. some OF which are regarded as
menaces and others as impairing the fighting value
Of the ship.
AN EIGHT-FooTER.- Decker Lee. of No
the President asking appointment to the Naval
Academy. He mentions as among his qualifications
that he possesses common school education. is
sixteen years old. eight feet and eight inches tall
and weighs for las b no take "a aamee his Chances
OF appointment. The President is understood to
nearly nine OF height ought be able to take
steps to suit himself. It, is assumed. of course
that the young man made an esTp' ana Is not
CIVILIANS FOR ARMY COMMIssIONs.-Ther
will be a chance for the appointment Of civilians to
army commissions this year. from present ndica-
tons There will be at least l6l vacancies in the grade
Of second lieutenant. There are now awaiting ap-
pointment next July, after the West Pointers have
been commissioned. fourteen civilians who passed
the examination some months ago. There are at
Fort Leavenworth. Kan. awaiting final examina
ton, forty young men who expect to be advanced
from the ranks and there are 124 members of the
graduating class at West Point Some Of the latter
ably not less than fifteen of those who stand the
highest in their class is usually the method Of
selection. To the l61 vacancies may be added nine
teen places in the ordnance depa rtment TO which
line officers viii detailed. making that number
Of places vacant in the lowest grade, or giving
total OF 49, II all the graduates at West Point
are appointed, together with all the other waiting
candidates there will still remain fifteen places IL
the grade of second lieutenant for civilians There
are already on file In tho War Department several
hundred applications from civilians who wish TO be
examined for commissions.
DUTY FOR RETIRED OFFICERS.-An order
has been issued at the War Department, constru-
ing the act Of Congress Of April g. providing that
retired officers OF the army may be detailed for
active service 1t holds that such details cannot
be made fer duty in any staff of the department
The question request by General
Crozier. asking that Brlgader General Mordecaf
be detailed in his department. The Ordnance Blu
Ieau Is nineteen officers short. condition which
has arisen under the detail system. IT IS held
mat retired officers may be detailed only de-
tached duty, which will not increase the number
of officers in any staff department or interfere with
tie promotion of officers.
Major BARBER MAY RETIRE.-Afajor Henri,
A Barber. who has been appointed assistant CHIEF
OF the Record and Pension Office, of the War 10
partment. on the promotion OF Lieutenant Colonel
John T"eeoale, it is expected viii be retired on
account of disabilities incident to the service In
oe il!ed by the appointment OF Edward 81 E'ruviar'
d -ssN-f ofk, who served