New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-05
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
FROM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.
Z, l.. 49,. L.

iish grades in the army TO be announced in day
OF Two are destined to create criticism in the
vice. There has been much speculation as to the
nominations for filing permanently the grade Of
oriSacler general It settled that number
OF important changes will be made. among them
the retirement Of BrigaGier General Alfred Z
Bates. Paymaster General OF the army, a major
general. and the appointment Of Lieutenant Colo
mel r , Dodge TO be brisadier general and head
OF tho pay department, over the heads OF two or
tlree seniors. including Colonel c. C Snffen. who
was Grants private secretary. and who has been
acting Paymaster General in the absence from his
Office OF General Bates. Another notable promo
Ton IN prospect is that Of General ". F. Randolph
20 major general and MS retirement. leaving vacant
the place Of chief Of artillery, to be filled, it
said by Colonel J P Story. o. the artillery corps
now IN charge of the artillery school Fort Mon
roc; story IS regarded fine officer. and his
so NUN as the retirement OF Randolph. who IS in
ms PRIME and might be expected 10 desire 10 con-
eI, on sTcHe guy ne thfee qaeelS nance mes a7
Philippines for the second time and who is re-
garded an ideal SELECTION Colonel E. H
CroNder, OF the judge advocate generals Depart
staff who has seem little seryice with the line but
VINO IS one of the aliest officers of the army and
captain 4. l.. Mills of the Cl"alry arm the colonel
superintendent Of the Military Academy. A novelty
spectacle OF one officer refusing to be promoted
General Jonn f. Weston has declined 10 so on the
ShaTse the duties OF coHnlissary general with the
BIRDS AND FISH IN Wharf.-The War Depart
ment Is in receipt OF ingenious proposition for
the employment Of the fish Of the sea and the
pros OF the air in the operation Of the machinery
OF war. The inventor proposes 70 use captive
sharks as the propeIng power Of torpedoes The
sharks are TO be imprisoned Ia a tube at the rear
Of the torpedo and are to be compelled to this or
that course by the application Of wireless teles-
raphy He also suggests that large birds be COM
PEELED to convey TO required heights deadly pro-
jecties which may be released over the heads Of
an enemy at the opportune moment, the discharge
Of the missiles to De effected and the birds TO be
directed in their flight by the OF wireless teleG
rdrUy also This OF the most interesting
OF The crank devices submitted for the considera-
ton Of the strateztsts but it met with 10 more
favorable corsderatton than courteous ottlciaI
archives Of the Army Board OF ordnanrGe and For
Aa1.y-Langley aeropIane.
SECRETARY ROOT DUPED.-secretary Root is
i-cerseI over what appears to have been decep-
ton p-actsod on him by those interested in the
ISSUE - medals OF honor. and there IS brewing in
tho War Department n good-sized rumpus over
the fact that the Secretary OF War has asked Con-
gress ia official way 70 authorize him TO issue
three thousand medals at a cost OF $1,000 TO those
who have distinguished themselves in action and
for other solalerllke qualities IT. the first place.
this Coul the bars In the reckless fashion
10 almost any boy who was ever in the military
service and WHO show 10 the satisfaction OF
the department that he possessed that indefinite
article described IN the pending bill soldier
Ike qualities" The request OF the Secre ary is the
more remarkable because not long ago he signed
order limiting the issue OF these medals @,
honor TO those who were recommended for the
decoration while sun in service. This cut of
a large body OF claimants whose dlstln-
glishej services rendered thirty years
Var Te1art7lert for these ms g,Ir7i=bs-
az a,i5sri"a ~ f-.f- rfvi, In 49, r-s,fe-
Mr Roo, Ike his TreItcessors has been seriously
mG,h q his time. and H1o nersenaly visited him
elwsys i-i-Se Il Easy Tor him 70 retnsr requests lo1
which practically cut or the Civil War claimants.
and Il vas eNle.tea nat something wseld he heard
@ ,sI a ~! va. i er d. 5 ~ 81 ne n l@7
pIoyed Secretary Root 10 ask FOR an ar1endsnert
had trouble in obtaining his signature 10 -
rue. Mr. Root on being asked how he came 70
has 10 recollection OF the circumstances attending
dent heh how Win gyhSi ease Off -isI Documents
obtain departmental approval
ORDERS IssUED.-7he following army and
navy orders have been issued:
ARMY
Resignation OF Second Lieutenant ALBERT Il STEVENS
ARTILLERY corEs. accepted Tor god % service
nesrs tom aus under rlrned.ato orders Of co,5a.
as assistant ems acer. Twelith Lighthouse District
FRS. Lieutenant EARL BROWN. corps % engineers to
Second Lieutenant WILLIAM =. RITTLER 1871 Iufan-
ny. uon general hospital. Washington uarraehs.
join his company
NAVY
Lieutenant Commander Il. II HODGES. to navy yard
WORK, genera! court martial
Lieutenant c. p SHAW. retired navy yard Norfolk
general count martial
Ensign :. c. FREMONT. lr.. to tho Maine. January
MOVEMENTS OF NAVAL VESSELS-The fol-
lowing movements of vessels have been reported to
the Navy Department:
ARRIVED
The Sterling. at San Juan; the Newark. the
Montgomery and The Gloucester. al Ponce
January 2-Ths Massachusetts az Guile
January 3The Brooklyn. Beirut. Dixie. al Colon
the 5cc-3i9n al san Juan. the Columbia, PeHsA-
cola Z4Gro. Chenupo, Orleans.
Albany. The kaIeisA and tie Cincinnati. at Midway.
SAILED.
January Z-The Eagle. rrom West FOR Bahia Honda;
the Newark Ao1ts5mery and the Gloucester
from, Cuiebra. the Topeka TruAtun ard
Stewart, Kingston for Colon. Cugoa
from Tor Chlriqui. Adams from San Diego
Clebga, New-OT.eans. the Albany. Raleigh