The San Francisco call., 1905-01-28
CABINET OFFICERS MEET.
Discuss Teaching of Jiu Jitsu and
Wireless Telegraphy.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-America is
learning lessons from the Russo -Japa-
nese war which will prove valuable to
both the army and navy of the United
States. Some of these lessons were
considered at the meeting of the Cabi-
net to-day and the discussion. which en-
sued will result In definite action '1h-
in few days. Some time ago the sug-
gestion was made that instructors be
employed at the academies to teach the
science of jiu jitsu, the Japanese method
of wrestling. At the meeting to-day
the entire subject was discussed very
fully and it was concluded to appoint a
joint military and naval board to study
the matter with the idea of supplying
the cadets at the two national acade-
mics with instruction not only in wrest-
ling, but in sword exercises and other
forms of exercise which might prove of
value to the cadets in personal en-
counters. 1t was pointed out that the
pending Eastern war had demonstrated
that hand-to-hand encounters were
much more likely to occur in the course
of war than had been supposed. In
many of these fights the japanese,
through their superior knowledge of
sword play and their remarkable agili-
ty, had overcome their opponents.
1t was announced after the meeting
that an order forming the proposed
board would be issued soon.-
The Cabinet also discussed the sub
ject of Government supervision of wire
less telegraph. The matter was
brought UP at a Cabinet meeting about
a year ago, and special commission
appointed for the purpose of investi-
eating it fully made a report to the
President. AS the matter now stands
ii will require Congressional action to
carry into effect the ideas of the admin
istration. 1t is likely that Secretaries
Morton and Taft will bring the subject
to the attention of Congress in formal
way. recommending the legislation they
deem desirable.
The administration views have been
embodied In bill drs.fted by the Com
missioner of Navigation, assisted by
Cantain Seabury of the navy and 9TH
ers. The bill Is to be revised further
by the Cabinet. 1t provides that no
person or corporation shall use any
apparatus for wireless telegraphy in
this country or upon any American
vessel except he be licensed by the
Secretary of Commerce and Labor.
Persons exchanging messages or sig
nails between points situated in the
same State or on behalf of the Ameri-
can Government are to be exempt from
this requirement, however. The official
license shall provide that the Presi-
dent of the United States in time of
war or public peril may close any wire
less station or authorize its use by the
Government.
The President is given power to es-
tablish regulations which shall prevent
interference between the naval and
military wireless telegraph stations
and the private or commercial stations.
Each licensed station Is to be required
to answer calls and signals from any
other licensed station and to receive
all such messages or signals offered
for transmission to a neighboring sta
ton, the rate to be that customarily
required for such service. This re-
quirement is to be observed regardless
or the system used on pain OF revoca-