Arizona republican., 1904-07-25
Growing American AppreCi-
 alton of the Torpedo
LESSON OF PRESENT WAR
The United States Navy Will Promptly Take Advantage of the Demonstra- tions Made by Russians and Japan ese in Submarine Warfare.

Washington, July 24-Prompt sd- vantage is to be taken by the navy of an important lesson already Ielraed from the contest for the possession Of Port Arthur, where the Russians, as well as the Japanese, have made, such effective use of the torpedo. For a number of years the utility of this in- strument of naval destruction has been more and more doubted by the leading naval officers in this country and Europe, until recently serious con sideration was given to the propl- sition to emit them altogether fIom the latest types of warships. In the last month, however, opposition to the torpedo, which was getting to be re garded as of probably greater dangs- to its possessor than to any p1ss b target has practically disappeared. and on American ships every effort will be immediately made to obtain the highest efficiency in using thcs- missiles. The service sentiment in fa- vor of submarine warfare has taken the practical form Of adding torpedo firing to the features of the annual target competitions of the navy. This is a step which is destined to be l. lowed by other nations in training men in the operation of the torpedo tube. and in giving accuracy to torpedo fir ing. Of course, the naval regulations contain requirements for the use Cf the torpedo, and there are regular courses of instruction in the discharge of the missile. Still. the experts in gum nery, under whom torpedo firing comes, say nothing short of Compe- tition will improve torpedo fire and give excellence in that direction It is therefore planned to add torpedo are to the work Cn the ranges, and to make the results count for standing on the relative merit list. It will be determining factor for those ships armed with the tubes, in distributing the trophies. It is believed that much good will come of the wcrk, since 1t will show, for the first time, just how the vessels stand in comparison with each other in placing the torpedo in the neighborhood of the target.
 There is to be a general investiga- ton into the methods pursued by sue | cessive pay officers of the navy who have been in charge of the navy pay office at New York. and who were on that duty at the time Costello. former i ly pay clerk, was employed there. The latter was found guilty of embezzlng Sl0,000 from the government and was | sentenced to five years at Sing Sing | His confession, showing how he prac- 'ticed his deception, has been sent to the navy departemnt by Pay Direc. or l.. G. BOggs, now in charge of the pay | office and under whom c stello fini h. | ed his career as a thief. The confess sion was supposed to clear Mir Boggs and his predecessors of any culpabi ity.
 but that officer has been held by the treasury department officials for the
 full amount of the dedication, and
 he must appeal to congress for ref f. Of course, the responsibility of the pay director is merely a technical one, but
 it is no less real in the retention of his
 salary or the draft upon his bondsmsn | until congress shall formerly relieve
 him. In the meantime the judge advO-
 cate general of the navy has sent out
 to the pay officers who were on duty
 at the naval pay office in New York
 previous to the administration of MT.
 Boggs, asking for an explanation, sU
 far as they are concerned, in the su- pervision of Costello, who says that he
 was never required to balance h s
 books and that he was permitted lib-
 critics with the records which. if true are said to show lack of care in the Op-
 eration of the office and ito great trust
 in a subordinate employe. Nothing will
 be done until replies have been re
 ceived from these pay officers, and
 then it may come about that some one
 will be ordered before a court martial