New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-19
ARWY IND NAVY NEVIS.
IFrorn The Trfbuns Bureau.


Washington. February r.
BATTLESHIPS OF 5000 TONS.-In the Discus
sons by the naval experts concerning the designs
OF the battleship several batteships TO be ass-
thorized at the present session of Congress there
is already observed difference OF opinion concern
ing the displacement The General Board IL in
favor and has urgently recommended a dispIacs-
ment of 1900 tons. comparing with 5000 ton
displacement plan. which Is considered inferior to
batueships OF more recent design under con-
struction by Great Britain. France and Russia IL
is believed however that the 1000 tons additional
displacement recommended by the General Board
Is not sufficient at least such an opinion Is
AaIraI laps the chief constructor Of the navy
new battleship is to be Increased IL nishs
ss T Esat he BE- aS sd ,.,: S so1s
efts OF speed and increased battery which viii
r. W Tor the extra cost OF the enlargement
gG most interesting and that out OF the agitation
surpass IN size. speed protection and armam w
ahhytnins OF the same class designed or building
usslgns have been considered as harding the AMI
seatn1ra bS GeVelopment but each year some new
teT TiTseoPment of the batteship has by no means
PENSION FUNDS NATURALIZATION W.
~ campbell who was retired from active service.
IN the army for disability n 1903 and who itvss ~
hochester N Y. has written the War Depart-
ment to find out whether he may claim exanont,o-,
from the payment OF taxes property IN that cttv
which he purchased with his income as a r,ttr..
the state property purchased with what is known
No. 70 pg1slon money Is exempt from taxation The
answer Captain Campbell IN definite yay "a
board Of tax assessors aIthoUb tb. s
&c 6efiopS Of Of the courts whieh may aid Captain
IORPEDO BOATS FOR NLANILA-Much inter-.
est attaches to the selection by the Navy D.nar+-
Inene or a convoy to the six torpedo boats which
are oestined Tor service on the Asiatic station
Ihese boats are now at the Norfolk Navy Yard ana
are being specially equipped with moder1, torped,
apparatus with view to their service IN Far East
erh waters. The assignment Of the boats to duty
on that distant station has special relation to-
any emergency which may be present because oe
the situation in China, but Of COURSE In IN, nIap-
for naval activity in the OF trouble Of thaa
sort. the torpedo hotilla Of Asiatic feet VIII be-
proceed far possible on their own coal ana
PROBABLY IN pleasant water they viii be towed on
drafts the bunker supply some SUCH o1 sh aps ~
purpose Of convoy the boats 1atHray r6 1Gr h
way OF suez. The torpedo boats viii be- practicay
recently been subjected to thorough over6au Ing
and have had installed board a new torpedo
discharged
ANOTHER FLOATING DRYDOCK-rns NAVY
Department officials anxious TO have author.
tied at the present session OF Congress at least on
floating drydock. to be stationed In homo waters.
The site selected IS SoIornon's Island. IN Chess.
peaks Bay, which is admirably adapted for tbs
purpose. Should such dock be constructed IN
Will possess new feature In enlarged machine
shop, containing the modern facilities for repairing
ships This will give the dock the value Of min.
being able to proceed from place place and save,
the time OF ships which needed in certain To-
calities. Naval stratesists have come to realize
that the floating dock is important in
maintaining the efficiency OF the fleet and IN giving
the fighting ships greater value on the firing line
ZENITH OF RED TAPE.-The officials of the ex-
ecutive departments. and especially OF the War De-
parment. which purchases large quantity oc mill
tary and naval supplies under contract. anxious
to have change in the law by a repeal OF an ola
statute which requires heads OF departments tn
submit copies OF all contracts to the returns d..
vision OF the Interior Department. accompanied by.
the affidavit Of the Cabinet officer. This require
nent includes minor contracts. even those OF SD
pense IN the defraying OF notary fees are tnpose1
by this useless statutory requirement. II Is hoped
that at the present session OF Congress there VIII
be repeal OF the law, which IS represented az
serving no purpose beyond encumbering the dleo
and requiring duplication OF work.
FENCING TOURNAMENT-Thers IS q revfvaI
Of interest IN fencing West Point and Annapolis.
Naval and military officers pleased to note than
those who interested IN these contests ars
awaiting with much speculation the result of the
tournament between the fencing team from the
Naval Academy and that from the Military Acad-
envy This will occur the occasion OF the inrer-
NeW-York City about middle OF March ina .xs.i
act date to be determined later
ITALIAN KILLED IN THE SUBWAY.