New-York tribune., 1905-04-17
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.


lFRoN THE TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington. April lS
DEsERTTONs FROM THE NAvY.-The bureau
of navigation has not received anything Official
from the officers OF the North atlantic feet in re-
lation 10 the conditions among the enlisted men
OF the forty ships composing Rear Admiral Evans's
command. Private sources OF information. however
give more or less sensational accounts OF the sit
uation and there is a persistent rumor that much
discomfort prevails among the bluejackets es-
pecially those OF the engine and hreroom force
II is realized IN Washington that something must
be done soon 70 relieve the conditions OF those VINO
are enlisted 70 serve as coal passers. OF course
on the merchant steamers. including the large
ships Of the great lakes and those Of the ocean
liners. the coal passers are shipped for the ulp'
and At the end they are allowed 10 90 IheiE
own way. In the navy this is impossible. since
the enlisted force must be unyaryingly enlisted foF
q period OF years with exceptions in favor OF one
class II is proposed 10 adopt some system oy winch
enlisted men Of the apprentice class may become
coal passers an increased allowance ouL tae
naval officers say that there IS nothing which VIII
prevent desertion on the part OF the coal passers
who have hard and dirty work 10 do In part OK
the ship which is never pleasant ana generaAy uh-
comfortable. The problem is most Vexatlous
one and is giving the naval officials much trouble
They say however that the stories OF wholesale
desertion are greatly exaggerated and that the
high percentages OF deseriOn in certain classes are
easily explained without reference to any genera
discomfort.
angton Of much trouble on OF the ships es-
peciaIy on board the United States war vessel
Cleveland. Of the officers OF which was recehuy
attacked by enlisted man and nearly killed
che incident led to much excitement on board
ana from al accounts something like an uprising
occurred The Navy Department people refuse 70
discuss the Cleveland row ana explain 'SI nat Snen @
OF ugly disposition create a disturbance Inc TOW
Importance to take unusual steps for its suppress
sion bur Il was found necessary, II is said 10 az
minister disciplinary measures OF an unullstakaple
TIE same unoficial reports bring stories Of dis
satisfaction smong the crews Of the heet with tne
food although IN reply this criticism II is point
ed out that greatest number OF desertions from
the navy occurs among those who are employed as as
Hessnen and who live better than any other class
way as the commissioned officers. II is q iact,
however that the naval ration IS not as sausLS @
discomfort more 10 the lack Of exercise than any
a5 Tor s encarsions @ A of ali sorts ana reater lib
ery IS possible On board the ships OF me ne SoLln
men were permitted much exercise at baseball.
This restriction on board shin must necessarily
have its effect although its result is generally OBJ
periods OF liberty who return late, rather than
Who DO not return al all The Lallure 70 MAKE I1e
distinction may operate to impress some people
with the large number OF sailors who desert when
most OF them really come back TO their ships.
Those who are in a position 10 know perhaps
without the prejudice Of the service. are saying
pishness' Of some OF the officers OF the navy. one
slolculoHs cao can 90 more 10 ollEe 2 men 20 i,
. system. on those ships which show the greatest
observers that it win be found there are one OF
more officers OF this class: They are not merely
seem 20 dislike but they belong 10 the sort OF
being brutal TO subordinates especially when Wis
ttors are on board ship; Unreasonable demands
OF the men are the elements which have operated
70 hurt the most. II is understood that this phase
Of the situation has been communicated 20 the Sec
retery Of the Navy, but the remedy can only be
would not DO to issue general orders this effect
and whatever is accomplished IN that direction
must be done with discretion and some secrecy.
PROTEST AGAINST FoRMALITY-NavaI Of
hcers are considerably wrought up the pos
sbility of being required by naval regulations to
wear dress suits (uniform) at the mess dinner on
board ship protest against such a requirement
has been addressed TO the Secretary Of the Navy
by Commander Seaton Schroeder OF the navy. and
has been taken under consideration. It is pointed
out that this would add 10 the discomfort Of living
Where S soaa & sB sf @ @sPseGy G IN, n 0Rea Eg ltfTas dDis
nolculous IN appearance. Besides, II is pointed
frequently invited 10 remain to dinner. and that
nc ADOPTION OF inll dress or dinner dress would
make II eInDarrassing 10 those who could not come
thus equipped for the social demands OF the
from such exaction upon the oficers II is added
oy the naval officer: Many minor situations viii
the deck al dinner protTscted sences ~ 81 sron a,,0 ~
dries, Increased bulk of personal OUTFIT etc The
stiff bosom OF q laundered shirt is very hot in the
tropics ana while cheeTfully borne on occasions, It
IS bound TO be recognized as a needless discomfort
nnQer many circumstances where the commanding
oflcer would not be warranted in substituting the
uniform OF the day Most officers who discuss
the situation say that such order is the height
OF folly, and II adopted would lead much criti-
cism ana riolcule OF the service everywhere There
are occasions, of course, when the full dress or
rather evening dress. IS without question. but
10 make IL compulsory under all circumstances
meets with marked disfavor and much complaint
ACCUMULATED MILEAGE. Army officers
everywhere are greatly interested in the prospect
OF obtaining mileage under conditions which extend
as far back as 1876. and include many claims and a
large sum OF money. The Controller recently de-
cioed that army officer who was on leave OF
absence and IN thar period had his station changed
was entitled 10 mileage in travelling back to his
new post There are more OF such cases than most
people mink and the extra allowance is held be
authorized under law nineteen years old or
course, there is no fund available for paying all the
claims which viii be presented under this decision
ana IL remains be ascertaned Just how far back
the paymaster general Of the army may make
these disbursements and TO what the auditor
for the Var Department will close up the other
claims 1t is probable there will have to be a
special appropriation by Congress for covering this
additional expense.
UNION SETTLEMENT MEETING.
The twelfth annual meeting Of the Union Settle