New-York tribune., 1905-01-03
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
TFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington January 2
FENCING OUTFITS FOR CAVALKY.-The Gen.
eral STAFF Of the army has recalled its decision to
sand ont an increased number of fencing outfits
for the cavalry troops. Some days ago 1t was de-
ternined that the exercise of fencing would be
istTctons were given to issue foils and other art
ces used in that sport to the cavalry arm; II mas
fits to the cavalry would mean an addtonal ~ ma 5 ex
pense to the War Department or nSrs for snnS
equipment somewhat reduced Il mas oeen asb G5
sets troop only, as hitherto
THE WINTER S-Admiral Dewey
will spend several weeks this winter in the West
deet under Rear ADMIRAL Barker. He, does not
expect TO take command bat mercy 70 oe
by two aids.
MUST ANSWER LETTERS PRoMPTLY.-con-
siderable interest attached to the court martial
trial of Lieutenant Henry c. Evans, 1r, or the
artillery corps. who was charged with neglect OF
duty for failing to reply TO official letters addressed
to him The War Department officials ordered the
trial of the officer as an example TO others who
were similarly disregardful Of the official COM
munications sent TO them. In one case recently the
government put TO Tnuch expense ana SOL
der was nearly deprived of money which was due
him by the indifference of an officer TO letter
sent him from. the military secretarys office. Lieu
tenant Evans is the Of the former Commis-
sioner OF Pensions Henry Clay Evans. and il was
not expected that he would be severely punished.
but the trial was deemed OF service II IL reminded
other officers what they might expect for neglect
ing duty IN the same way. Evans was acquitted
of the charge. and has been restored to duty at
Fort Hancock. General Grant. in his comment on
the conduct Of the case at Governors Island. said
The prina facie case made out by the prosecution
was combated by the defence through the medium
of evidence much of which did not lend itself 10
the test of cross-examinatLon and was not the
best obtainab able" Whether testimony before the
court writer letter and arddavft ADMITTED
IN evidence. containing statements OF facts and or
expert opinion, would have modified the outcome.
is matter Of conjecture only, but as the case
hinged such subject matter II Is regretted that
the witness was not procured.
SUPPLIES RUINED IN TROPICS.-A substan-
tial loss to the government has been discovered in
the deterioration OF naval supplies in the form of
provisions sent to naval vessels in Southern waters
The records OF the Bureau OF Supplies and Ac-
the combined feet. comprising some sixty vessels
of war. was greatly increased last winter by the
fact that so much material spoiled before 10
could be consumed by the crews for whom II was
shipped in the supply vessels from Ne%-for Inc
principal loss came to the provisions, principally
-four left OF the naval stations, such as San Juan,
for the slips likely TO draw the stock Great
dificuty has been experienced in keeping the
weevtls from getting into the supplies even on
shipboard This is to be expected when the ships
are in Southern waters on account OF the climatic
conditions and while every effort is made TO reduce
the loss IN that direction, II viii probably De i'm
possible to keep down the expense very fnnch. Tne
naval payrnasters who look after the purchase and
TRANSPORTATION of the supplies, say the loss from
such unavoidable causes must be reckoned IN the
general expense OF maintenance