New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-20

from very good to very bad. In general the troops
stronger physically than those from the South
some organizations from the latter section being
unfortunate state of affairs given by a medical
BILE to secure physically Mt for the militia in
the South; and that TO require physical examine
cation of this statement has not been possible.
t nIe mere San De no doqoI tnat II Is VASE ~
the manOeuvres. for they not stand the fatigue
exeTcises and etraepie hac to ANN learning praco
physical fitness be given its proper weight in de-
termining whether Organization is quail
fed for maneuvres. The militia should be encour
aged to practise cross-country marching as much
as possible at their own homes Few GAYS eaGh
year devoted to this kind of training Would GER
degrse than is at present the case for the kind
of work in which they will have to engage In the
manoauVres. 1t will also give them some idea OF
reIisb the exercises VIII doubtless fall out and give
place to other militia recruits who exemplify in
greater degree the survival Of the htteist;s II
proper numerical strength without filling the ranks
t Wl5 Know and appreciate this fact in
of peace, and base our estimates accoIuIisrs IN re-
gard the probable value of these organizations IN
III! The food furnished the militia was the usual
government ration than which there has probably
never been a better one devised Naturally 1t was
better handled by the regular regiments than by
the militia though some of the latter Jared very
well. noticed that many of the militia ia or or
10 suppose that if they called into the service
OF o Inc opeTv their food This would be
a serious matter and in the interest," ol aS desI
Of discomfort was experienced by troops In the
hurry of the maneutFes oh Oiners in supply
ing their men with food ana III s sfi During their
absence from camp.
BUILDING UP PORTO RICANs-Captan B. K
Ashford assistant surgeon, U. S. A, who has oeen
in this country leave of absence has returneo
to Porto Rico, and will resume his important ouues
in the investigation of anfema' Whlch mas cluseu
such devastation among the natives or the island
This medical officer with two assistants. formed
a commission to ascertain the best protecuon
against the disease, and they so far SUCCEEDED as
TO materially reduce the death rate on the island
They found themselves confronted at every turn
with The prejudice of local physicians and the
suspicious of the natives but they nnally, by
patience tact and persistency, obtained Naluaole
information and established an equcatonaa cam M
pagn which has resulted in the improvement OF
the public health of the island. Captain AShtoro Is
he is well the road to fame as sanitary officer.
despite the fact that he is still Young man he
of the army. describing the history of numerous
cases and the progress made by his commission in
improving the sanitary condition Of the island.
NAVY RIFLE RANGE-While naval authorities
generally are very much in favor of the establish
ment of small arms target ranges at the naval sta
ton at Guantanamo. they find that there is local
desire at home to have some OF these ranges along
the Atlantic Coast. This desire comes OF the i'm
preston that II would be or advantage 10 the
neighborhood to have the navy visit such ranges
periodically since it increased business at
country stores and demand upon the local sources
of food supply At the same time, naval authori-
ties realize that wouldbe the advantage of the
enlisted force if these small arms target ranges
could located at such places as Guantanamo.
1t would be then possible 70 accommodate entire
ships crew at one time and tins would faGilitste
dividual work with small arms just previous to the
ranges at Pensacola.
AMERICAN GLASSES FOR ARNY.-The army
signal office has adopted the army field glass
one of the Galilean type. which automatically
changes its power. The glass is considered the
most suitable military and the best quail
fed of the numerous American and European
glasses submitted for competitive trial with a view
to the adoption of the satisfactory The glass
accepted is of domestic manufacture, and for the
tage of admitting a great deal of light and OF be-
ing useful both day and night
REVENUE CUTTER CHIEF-A bitter fight for
the commanding position in the revenue cutter SER
vice has ended by the detail by Secretary Shaw Of
Captain Worth q. Ross. commanding officer of the |
revenue cutter Mohawk TO be chief of the service
with office in this city He win succeed Captain c.
F. Shoemaker who goes the retired list for age
on March rs There is much surprise in the revenue
cutter service at the detail of Captain Ross who |
was recently severely criticised for his failure IN
go the help of distressed ship off Dutch Island
Captain Ross came Washington at the time and |
explained matter to the satisfaction of Score
him. There was another prominent candidate for |
the place and his friends have been assured that |
at the end OF a year tapiain Ross Will be succeed
cd by Captain Frank II. Newcomb. who has been on |
sPryc in New York He has ine record ana ' ron
ceved gold medal from Congress for intrepid |
ginning of the war with Spain.
Bssdie. newly appointed military secretary in the