Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-28
Army and Navy News.

One OF the army inspectors III q re-
port of his observations at military
posts says there Is IL lack of efficiency
in horsemanship among officers and
men Of the cavalry, and that at most
cavalry posts there Is insufficient train
ing and instruction in the duties OF the
arm. He found, too, that in one troop
no less than thirty-five horses were
ordinarily have been condemned, but
the post commander insisted that there
should be special training of the ami
mails, which work, lasting six months.
resulted in producing the required
efficiency among the horses and saved
to the service thirty-five of them fitted
for cavalry duties. At some posts the
horses are groomed only once a day,
and it is considered that cavalry and
light battery horses should be groomed
twice n day. Orders to this effect will
probably be issued. The inspector.
turning his attention to the personnel,
found that the lieutcnants also need
practical work in road sketching and
topOgra ply and that nearly all mill
tary posts are deficient in good topo-
graphical maps of the country imme-
diately surrounding the reservations
1t is recommended that a progressive
map Of the vicinity be kept at every
military post, and that 1t be corrected
from time to time. Cavalry officers are
apt to feel keenly the criticism passed
on them by the inspector, whose re-
marks will be published in official COM
ice.
The Board of Visitors to the Military
Academy at West Point. of which Gener-
al John NJ. Wilson, retired. was president,
in its report, filed at the War Department,
urges that Constitution Island, which is
in the Hudson River opposite West Point.
should be owned by the government as
part of the reservation. While I'M
needed at present for actual or remunera-
tive use,' says the board. yet the great
need of it to preserve the beauty and
comparative isolation. and We might also
say the morale. of West Point is clearly
apparent. Appalling negligence may be
charged if this island is permitted to go
into other hands then the United States
when 1t passes from its present owner.
The board found the cuisine excellent and
the fare better than at any previous time
within the experience Of those now at the
academy 1t is suggested that every rea-
sOnable effort be made to preserve the
older structures of historic interest. and
That all the picturesque and ornate feat
ures now so much admired by visitors
may be preserved. The report strongly
urges that every feature of the old chapel
and the contents. which are to be re
tanned, though the building must be re-
of the general rebuilding scheme. shall
be preserved as precious reminder of
the past. 1t also says that the nblitera-
ton of old Fort Putnam should be pre-
vented. and strongly recommends to Con-
gress an appropriation to be expended
from time to time within the next five
years to prevent further disintergration
of the walls and easements of that forti-
hcaticn. The practice of hazing new ca
diets no longer exists. the board reports,
and the present state of affairs has the
support of the cadets themselves. and
thus gives assurances of permanency.
The recommends tons for increased
school facilities for the go children at
West Point are approved by the board,
In conclusion the report says the institu-
ton today stands at the head of the
great military schools of the world
Naval Bureau of Ordnance has awarded
contracts for about $1,000. 00O worth of gun
iorsings; dividing the award equally be- |
tween the Bethlehem and Midvale com
panies. These companies were the only
bidders. and each bid 30 cents a pound |
Whether either company will demand |
not known. In the event of such a de- |
mand the question will be referred to the |
Secretary of the Navy
The coast squadron, consisting of the
hattleship Texas. flying the flag of Roar
admiral Sands; the battleship Massachu- |
Setts and the cruiser Dixie, is at Martha
Vineyard, where there will be target !
practice until the end of the week. The
second torpedo fiotiila arrived at Newport !
from New London this afternoon for |
practice in Narragansett Pay with tba
naval cadets. The Hist left Newnort m !
night, having on board number of gun |
cotton torpedoes, with which ii is intend.
ca to blow up several wrecks on the Nav
England coast ie -"
MaJor william NJ. Black, corps of en-
siheers' who has just returned here from |
a long tour of duty on the Jsthmus nt
i l,anama, has been relieved from further
a iiay under the lsthmian Canal Commits
SION ana assigned to Portland, Me in
charge charge OF river and harbor work. He rel
ieVes Major S. w. Roesser. ordered here
LOIS rer special e, duty under the chief of ensi
neers IN connection with fortifications nd
river and harbOr works These chang
VIII not take effect for several weeks