Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-10
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
MATTERS REFERRING TO BOTH
ARMS OF SERVICE.

Special legislation will be invoked for the
relief of Midshipman F. J. Cleary of New
York, whose case is unique and without
precedent The young man was to have
been finally graduated In 1904, but he was
disabled by reason of a boil, which came
on his foot during cruise and which, be-
ing neglected, led to blood poisoning and
necessitated the amputaton of the leg
above the knee As he cannot pass the re-
quired physical examination he cannot be
appointed an ensign. Midshipmen not be-
ing entitled to transfer to the naval retired
list, Congress alone can afford him relief.
Inadequate Armory Facilities.
In his annual report regarding the militia
of the United States. Gen. Ainsworth, mill
tary secretary, says that the armory ia
cilities for the organized militia of the Dis
trict of Columbia ARE inadequate and the
guard labors under many disadvantages
for that reason.
To Sell the Zafro.
The Navy Department has decided to sell
the transport Zafiro, at the Puget
Sound naval station. The vessel was re-
Gently surveyed and it was found that 1t
would cost more to put her IN condition for
active service than her value warrants.
The Zafro was bought by the Navy De-
partment in 1898 for $4,000. 1t is roughly
estimated that the ship is now worth $25,-
GOO.
Changes on Dominican Station.
Orders have been issued to Rear Admiral
Bradford, commanding the fifth division of
the North Atlantic fleet. to proceed with
the Olympia, flagship, the Des Moines,
Cleveland and Tacoma to Culebra to engage
In, for tba c0npietiOn of
which those vessels will be ordered north
Their places in Dominican waters will be
taken by the Dixie as flagship and squad
! on of gunboats, consisting of the Paducah,
Dubuque, Nashville. Yankee and Newport.
To Command Fort Baker
Lieut.. Col Robert H. Patterson, Artillery
Corps, now at the Preside of San Fran
CISCO Cal, has been ordered to Fort Baker,
Cal, to assume command of that post.
Detroit for Militia Use.
The United States steamship Detroit, now
at the Boston Navy Yard will shortly be
assigned to duty with the naval militia.
Many applications for vessels have been re-
ceived from various sources. 1t will be
necessary to first ascertain what must be
done on board the vessel to fit her out
completely for the purpose indicated. 1t
is proposed to overhaul the machinery and
put the engines and boilers in condition so
the ship may proceed under her own power.
Establishing a Naval Militia.
The assistant secretary of the navy has
sent to the adjutants general of all the
states and territories having naval militia
circular letter inclosing copy of pro-
posed bin prepared by the Navy Depart
ment to establish a naval militia and to
define its relations to the general govern
ment. These officers are requested to for
ward their views to the department at the
earliest date practicable in order that the
same may be brought up for discussion at
the approaching meeting in Washington of
the representatives Of the naval militia to
be held next Wednesday.
Lieut. Browning in Trouble.
The case of Lieut. Kent Browning, list
Artillery, has been reviewed by the Judge
advocate general of the army and sub
mitted to the President for action. This
officer was tried by court martial at Allie
gheny arsenal on the charge of conduct un-
| becoming an officer and gentleman and It
is understood that he was found guilty
and sentenced to be dismissed
Too Young for the Militia.
Judge Advocate General Davis of the
army has given an opinion to the Secretary
| of War that cadet organization in any
state cannot be considered as part of the
! organized militia OF that state. Gen. Davis
quotes the militia law to show that "a
| body composed of youths between the ages
| of fifteen and eighteen is obviously not a
! body of militia, and Ats being organized and
uniformed by or In a state cannot make it
! so.'
Want Another Advance In Rank.
The twenty nine officers on the retired list
| OF the army who had civil war service and
were retired from active service for disabil-
ity. under the act OF October /, 1890, have
petitioned the President to direct that .their