New-York tribune., 1907-05-25
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
President Orders Practical Test of
HOrsemanship.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington. May "a
HARD ON POOR RIDERs.-The President has
sent instructions the War Department which
will be received with variety Of emotions by GER
tain army officers concerned in a order
quiring a practical test Of the horsemanship of
field officers Of the infantry. cavalry and artillery.
Mr. Roosevelt has gained the impression that there
are officers Incapable OF retaining a seat in the
saddle with the animal going at more than an
ambe- His letter to Secretary Taft has been in
corporated in official orders for the benefit of the
army in general. 1t follows:
The White House Washington. May 49, 1907.
AS I have personally observed some field officers
VINO We're physically unable % 70 Ilde even even rev @
sential that the field officers of the line OF the
army should be all times physically fit and able
to perform the duties pertaining their positions
especially in the field. and as 1 believe that such
physical tests. desire that you give the necessary
directions 10 have the physical condition OF an al
officers OF the line who come up FOR examination
for promotion TO the grade of field officer actually
tested for skill and endurance in riding; this In
addition TO the physical examination now required
the physical condition and skill in horsemanshp
OF all field officers Of the line be made under the
commanders when making their annual inspec-
consist of ride of not less than fifteen miles
varying gaits adapted TO the terrain not less than
approximately five miles at each--with such other
exercises sd in egltation as NAY be deemed
which are required TO engage in the field training
General
ment. 1906 should Invariably participate in all
practice marches, encanpments and field exercises
plained to the department commander, and only
the most cogent reasons for such absences should
be accepted satisfactory.
I think that all officers OF the inspector generals
department should hereafter be required to espe
lively or negatively as the case may be, whether
the field officers belonging TO commands they in
spect are believed to be physically fit to perform
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
in doubt concerning the work necessary on
board the San Francisco at the Norfolk Navy Yard
and the Baltimore at the navy yard at Brooklyn.
These vessels have been designated mine laying
ships. and preliminary plans have been drawn for
their conversion from cruisers into this special
class Of vessel. It has been discovered that the
Of the work in each will probably
coed the amount authorized by law for expenditure
a ship in commission. # the work cannot be
done without changing the plans it will be nee
esssry obtain legislative authority for convert
fhe ~ naTel 1e @fceEgs f. fear that II will
cause a debate in Congress concerning the cost
vOysq in eha1gng g ships lips Of from N ene class
by showing & what n HIue e TINS & og re rss on
position. The naval board on construction has
under consideration the plans for the work con
and will try to find some way out of the difficulty.
ORDERS IssUED.-The following orders have
been issued:
ARMY.
inspector generals department. from August H. vice
Nso is a!snsd TO ist InfanS sP'Is Ms5eT BEt viii
First satahs to 6s' sM RRh's r ASfSf
6h 5 asy aoa "h G Of Ns@ To a
during tour Of held service. June to 10.
Resignation Of First Lieutenant DOUGLAS l. MACKAY,
Second Lieutenant HENRY A. FINCH. from
Second Lieutenant WILLIAM F. ENDREss from third
TO second battalion Of engineers.
NAVY.
Commander H. ". HARRISON. detached navy
he WOlyerine
Commander J. f PARKER TO OF instruction.
Naval War college. Newport.
coTnInander H MorFe detached from the Wolverine TO
Lieutenant A B. KEATING. detached Naval Academy;
Lieptensnts ". L PRYOR W C. DIMAN, c. BEAN.
r WAINWRIGHT. Jr-. s. READ and G. J. ROW
CLIFF. commissioned.
MARINE CORPS.
Captain WILLIAM H CLIFFORD, detached marine
tachrnent Legation Pexing, China; United
First Lieutenant CLEYBURN MCAUL&2Y detached re-
crGitng district Of Indiana; TO command marine de-
Second Lieutenant FREDERICK A. GARDENER. de-
tached the Virginia; temporary duty marine bar
racks navy yard Washington relieving Second Leu
tenant FREDERICK A. BARKER. who will proceed
HTne n,s sasFaees naTg ySg Mae r 4sanf .
Marines Philippines; 70 command marine detachment
Legation. Peking. China
MOVEMENTS OF WARsHIPs.-The following
movements of vessels have been reported:
ARRIVED.
May 2s-The Louisiana, navy yard. New York
SAILED
May 23-The Leoridas, from Portsmouth. y H. for
navy yard. New York the Nevada. from Norfolk for
navy yard New York: Louis from Tonnpkins-
saki for Che-Foo: the Maine from navy yard New
York for League Island.
The Leyte and the calananes stricken from navy list