New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-04
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
IFnoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington, December 8.
ARMY POST CHAPELS.-A project is on foot to
build chapels at army posts. This cannot be done
of the existing fund for barracks and quar-
tiers. although one occasion small chapel was
erected out of that appropriation at Fort Apache,
1t will require special act of Congress to pro-
vide funds from which defray the cost of erect
ing structures where religious services be held
The chaplains they prefer special buildings for
this purpose to the recreations halls which are TO
change fund 4 committee was appointed at the
recent Episcopal General Convention in Boston TO
aufSorities in Congress 1t is expected That secre
tary Taft on his return from Panama will be asked
the military committees OF the approval OF the War
structures at any post, and it is pointed out that
a chapel may be built at some places for small
ehapels exist or a more elaborate scale. such as
Fort BLISS E WRerf be rec %ai % SrGs OF
tons or course the Chapels Will be non-deEomina-
uonal and the services will be conducted by the
resident chaplain. no matter with what church he
is connected.
PHILIPPINE COAL--The War Department may
give up its attempt at coal mining in'the Philip
pines. The government has already expended $40
eco in the effort to ascertain whether the coal
mined at Batan Island serves practical purpose
The recommendation has been made for a further
allotment of 5000 in order 10 contlnue ths test
coal of the required quality to justify carrying
on the work The army engineers are aoing 1IIe
of American machinery has been taken 10 bat Ian
coal obtaned is Of varying quality and il remains
to be seen whether there is enough justify fur
Their work in that direction
TO RECONIPENSE SOLDIERs.-The War De-
partment will urge Congress 20 provide means or
reimbursing the soldiers who lost property in the
food at Galveston. Tex. and the hurricane in
Porto Rico IS we'll as the loss OF property sus-
tanned by regiment of regulars on board a trans
ON a trim to Manila These claims do not come
within the law of 1885. which specially prohibits
war The war Department receives hundreds of
claims OF all kinds especially from tne Pninppines
the loss of property I'm transit If these claims
dollars and there is no warrant of law for tina
settlement Of them There are some cases outside
sidered just, and these will be made the subject OF
special appropriations at the coming session.
PACIFIC SQUADRON GOING soUTH.-Orders
have been sent to the Pacific Squadron at Panama
to start southwark soon Secretary Taft leaves
the isthmus, The squadron probably win so as
far the Straits Of Magellan and then cruise
uorthward reaching MagdaIera Bay about March
in time conduct its annual record target practice
Plans for the winter manuuyres will have been
perfected by the middle of next week. and the
general outline will be made ;:t6Iic For weeks
the general board has been mapping this pro-
granme. many of the details of which will not be
published because of their confidential character
Admiral Dewey will go down the Potomac early
in January with Secretary Morton 10 review the
when il arrives at Hampton Roads on it's way 10
the Caribbean. In the Caribbean the fleet will as
semble and the manUuVres will be conducted under
the command Of Admiral Dewey
LAKE BLUFF SITE OPPOSED.-OppcSition to
the selection OF the Lake Bluff site for the naval
training station on the Great Lakes has developed
great strength since the announcement by the spe-
cal board OF It's decision. Senator Alger. OF Michi-
gan, voiced the opposition tO-6a- ~ long inter-
view W tn the Pres d Mt. The Senator declared that
the harbOV at the site chosen IS able TO
MEDIATE vessels of considerable dvaught.
ARMY REEL CART,-The army signal corps has
been experimenting with new reel cart made
aftor the fashion OF the artillery gun and timber.
The reel together with coils OF wire to the extent
OF four miles Is mounted the section OF
the vehicle. The cart is part OF system for the
distribution OF wire for Geographic and telephone
purposes while the army Is In the field. and its
facilities were tested thoroughly at the combined
manGuvreS In California. 70 was found that the
distinct aid Ca the distribution wire. The
cart vas built by OF the signal corps az
Bencia Barracks, the design made by officer
Of the signal corps.
ORDERS. lSSUED.-The following army and
navy orders have been issued:
ARMY.
Captain ROBERT s. wooDsoN. TO rsnsrsI hospital Hot
sprinsa