Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Notes of Interest to the
United Service.

United Service.
The case of Private Edgar NJ McCay or
the 10Th Cavalry. stationed at Fort Ethan
Allen, VT, Is unique. He was convicted
| by court-martial of stealing a belt and SEN
| fenced to dishonorable discharge and seven
months Imprisonment. At the trial II was
shown that McCay had served creditably
for eleven years and that he had reached
the grade of first sergeant. While on duty
at drill in January last he was thrown
from his horse, suffering injuries to the
head, and was treated for cerebral con-
cussion. After his return to duty there
was a marked change in McCays conduct
resulting in his being reduced to the ranks.
AS result of subsequent observation the
post surgeon reported Il as his opinion that
Private McCay was of unsound mind and
that he is a paranoiac whose mental condi-
lion leads him to attempt to obtain money
Under false pretenses, or to commit lar
ceny; that his mental and moral pervar-
sion dates from his fall from his horse.
In view OF these facts Gen. Grant. COM
manding the Department of the East, dis
approved the sentence of the court and
ordered the soldier to the hospital with a
view to his restoration to duty. This Is
case" said Gen. Grant, for discharge
for disability contracted in the line OF
duty. and that any other action would
lower the high standard of justice which
the United States, through its officers in
the army, has heretofore accorded those
who have received injuries in the perform
once of duty"
Barefoot American Soldiers.
Barefooted soldiers may soon form a
novel feature of the United States army.
AT any rate, Inspector General Burton has
suggested that the efficiency of the Philip
pine scouts would be improved IL they
were required to go without shoes, espe-
cially In the field. That would be a re-
turn to the primitive state and customs or
the scouts, who in the old days went about
scant1ly attired, with no notion of STOCK
lngs and shoes, to say nothing of the mill
tary Iegg1ngS which now grace the ShankS
OF that valuable agent OF the government.
1t might be advantageous, 1t is pointed out.
TO nave the scout equipped with light
canvas shoe for garrison USE but he Is
considered as at present altogether en-
numbered with the weight of what most
people would regard as the necessities OF
life, especially of life in the field 1t is
reported that, beyond the clothing on the
back of the scout he does not need more
than blanket in which to wrap himself
at night Altogether there is no more eco
nomical employe of the government, as tar
cerned than this same scout in the Phil
ippines.
Rifle Matches at Fort Riley.
A number of army men who are interest
ed In the encouragement of target practice
with both rife and pistol are agitating the
selection of Fort Riley, Kan, as the proper
place to hold the next national match
They hold that Fort Riley is much better
adapted for such a purpose than is Sea
Girt, N. J., where the national matches
have been held for years past. 1t IS also
more centrally located, and individuals and
teams from the west will not have much
travelling to do.
1t will first be necessary however, to
make extensive improvements at Fort
Riley. and Secretary Taft will ask Congress
for an appropriation of $4,000 for the con-
struction of target ranges and appurte-
nances. The prospective plans call for fifty
ranges of different distances up to 1000
yards and one skirmish range. The level
country is regarded as finely adapted TO
target practice.
Army Relations With Civilians.
Gen. Henry T. Allen, chief of the Philip
pine constabulary, who is otherwise a cap.
tain Of the 9th Cavalry, has written several
interesting letters to the district chiefs in
connection with their work in the islands.
There seems to have been some disappoint-
illSLI On ING part VI lIe OIIlCSTS Oh the COLI
stabulary that the military feature of that
organization was made secondary to the
civil. and Gen. Allen informs them that
such emotions should be removed by IAN
explanation as to the higher nature of
their duties as political agents, and as to
the greater responsibility for them"
Another suggestion is that all officers sub
scribe to representative newspapers in En-
glish and in Spanish in Manila so as to
keep themselves posted on matters affect
ing public opinion. Still another comment
by Gen. Allen is as follows:
Officers should be very particular to rem
der proper courtesy to governors of prov
inces and to all local officials and to be on
friendly terms with them, but they Should
keep their balance and not take such undue
interest in any one party as to damage
their reputation for impartiality. AS a de-
tail bearing on this, officers should be adj
vised of the improperly of receiving pres
ents of any value from officials and others
In an investigation recently it developed
that the officer in town was in the habit
of sending a message to the president to
come to his office. Such conduct is over
bearing and discourteous and will not be
tolera ted.
Passing of the Detroit.
The Navy Department has decided to
place the unprotected cruiser Detroit out
of commission because of the poor con-
dtion Of her boilers. which will have to
be removed. This Is an addition to what
may become known as rotten row." to
which a number of naval vessels have been
recently assigned. The vessels of the De-
troit class are not found to be of much
value in connection with modern naval
opera ions. The others are the Marble
head aid Montgomery. They are about
fifteen years old and have been almost
constantly in service.
Disappearance Of an officer.
Nothing has been heard from Lieut. F. I.
Otis of the 4th Cavalry since he left Gov
ernor's Island, N. Y, over six weeks ago.
At the end OF three months his name will
be dropped from the army register as de-
serter. If by any chance he reports to an
army officer or Is arrested he will be
brought before a court-martial to answer
the charge of absence without leave and
the charge of duplication of his pay ac-
counts. That he is alleged to have done
in San Francisco and New York, after
his n,lblic complaint that his army pay