New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-14
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
[FnoM TIE TmBuxE BuREAU.I

FLAW IN MILITIA PIAAN.-War Department
authorities in charge Of militia matters are con-
fronted with prospect that their plans for es-
tablishng eligible list of commissioned officers
of volunteer reserves Will be frustrated. 1t has
been discovered that such list may mean MOTH
ing inasInuch as its personnel will probably stand
chance Of securing commissions in United states
organize tons Of which there are destined
to be several IN the event of war. Most OF the
volunteer commands. however, in such an emer-
gency are likely to be organized by the State au-
thorties and offered for service to the government
This was the case in the Civil War and in the war
with Spain. although IN both conflicts there were
United States volunteer commands the commissions
in which filed by Presidential appointment.
The War Department has taken considerable pains
to devise a system of examination and TO prescribe
conditions which will govern the selection OF these
reserve officers 1t will be quite another matter to
get Governors Of States to consider names on TINS
list in filing commissions IN military organizations
raised IN the respective States. Some way out OF
though the list would give little assurance to those
Ing place In the provisional personnel
PROMOTION FOR NERIT.-The serenity of the
army has been considerably disturbed by the pros
pect that Congress will seriously consider the
scheme of promotion by selection recommended in
President RooseveIts annual message. The sub
ject IS under discussion by the General Stafr
which seems likely to evolve some scheme which
employs form of selection In the advancement OF
of promotion by seniority The General Staff is by
no means a unit in its views this question
It is feared that method OF selection Will be
entirely separated from sort Of influence, and
that in the end, or in administrations, the
theory of the survival Of individual merit may be
ignored. Some of the members of the General Staff
who have looked into the question say that promo
ton by seniority is not imposing on the army
body OF officers who are unfit TO discharge their
duties and those who believe in the present sys-
insist az M bet results would
by any other policy. They say that the present
situation is greatly exaggerated by the advocates
of seective promotion.
Secretary Root is anxious to round out his career
in the Cabinet with this bit OF legislation. believing
that IL is a fit companion 10 his achievement OF
rotation in staff corps duty, the creation or
militia. Mr.. Foot has made the examination Tor
promotion more effective than any OF his predeces.
perfunctory, and defects reported in the cases OF
nose seIectiye PROMOTION say that strict examina-
tion and the approval of recommendations or ex-
aiming boards would do much to establish all that
without jeopardizng the peace Of mind OF arn my
easygong officers above the grade Of captain who
influence may be able to obstruct any plan for such
a rational method Of advancement as the Presi-
dent and the m ,st progressive element OF the mill
tary service earnestly indorse
EXAMINATIONS FOR CoMNIssroNs.-The Sec
rotary OF War has prepared regulations which will
be promulgated shortly under which examinations
will be held to secure lists Of suitable persons spe
ciaIly qualified to hold commissions in any volun-
teer force which hereafter may be organized under
the authority OF Congress- other than force com
posed OF organized militia. In addition TO mental
and moral qualifications. the applicants must be
a least twenty-one years OF age. Applicants for
second lieutenancy commissions shall be not more
than thirty years of age, first leutenants not
more than thirty-hve. captains not more than
forty, majors not more than forty-hve. lieutenant
colonies not moro than fifty and colonies not ex-
ceeding hfty-fve. Applications are to be sent to
the adjutant general OF the army. The persons
passing the examinations. which will be held at
specified places In the United States may.
thorization OF the President. attend a regular
except West Point, In attending such schools
for quarters at Sl2 q month and 81 day for sub
sistence.
ORDERS IssUED.-The following army orders
have been issued:
frs, Lieutenant ERNEST VAN D. MURPHY. 9th
fantry. assigned TO Company G.
First Lieutenant WILLIAM n CONVICTION artillery
corps. detailed to I'LL vacancy In signal corps
First Lieutenant item, III. MILAN A coVNGroN signal
officers appointed to Francisco for
examination Of officers Of corps OF engineers 20 de-
coohes WAM r. naRR sha THOMAS
ahsnee S se eoionsi dEoRdE
deputy surgeon general FiFst Lieutenant CiaAhI1Es
Of board WIZ act as recorder
Captain DAVID Do b. GAIILARD. general stan. presi-
dent examining board at san Francisco for examina-
ton for promotion.
Board Of officers appointed Army Building.
New-York City, FOR examination OF officers OF corps
Of snEnseTs s fqT PFom S mos ps1T G9l0nsii
Lieutenant Colonel CHARLES w. RAYMOND. corps
OF engineers: Major JOHN l. PHILLIPS. surgeon:
Captain CHAMPE c. MCULLOCH Jr. assistant
surgeon; Junior engineer officer Of board will
recorder.
Following officers Of corps OF engineers TO president
examination for promotion; Captain CASSIUS Z.
GILLETTE. Firs, IAeutsnants EDWIN r. STUART
ARTHUR Williams and wTIDURR WILLING.
First Lieutenant RALPH S GRANGER, artillery corps
from nth Company. coast artillery to 7th Battery
field artillery.
First Lieutenant PAUL A. BARRY artillery corps from
Washington Barracks 20 company.
Lieutenant VANDUSEN. from Columbus Barracks TO
West Point, relieve Captain ALEXANDER y.
STARK, assistant surgeon, who viii repair Wash
iagton to relieve Major WILLIAM II. BANISTER,
surgeon, from duty attending surgeon, who will
proceed to Jefferson Barracks.
MOVEMENTS OF NAVAL VESSELS.-The fol-
lowing movements Of vessels havo been reported to
the Navy Department:
SAILED.
January 1.-THE Mohican, Diego San Fran
cisco: tho Cuigoa. from Colon for Culebra-
January l3-The Leondas Norfolk Cuiehra:
Pompey and the Nanshan from Guam for Cavite-
WANTS GENERAL BODY REPRESENTED.
Purpose of Lawyer Getting Proxies from