New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-08
AND NAVY NEWS.
IRON The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington. April T.
WAR COLLEGE sEssIONs.-The officers who
attached 20 the Army War College in Washing
ton will continue their work here through the
mer and will be engaged on individual studies.
They working on all sorts OF problems mainly
on schemes which have 70 do with the repeIIing
OF invasion and the various forms OF domestic
policy which require the emergency employment
OF the army. These students ind that their plans
greatly Handicapped by the lack Of available
men for any extensive operations and It will not
be surprising II next year at the beginning Of the
session OF Congress there is plan presented for
an increase OF the army to 10000 men. This would
afford a military body meet the situation in the
Philippines. furnish the who are needed AT
home and provide a command for such situation
as now prevails in Cuba. Most of the Army War
College people entertain no great hope that the
American troops will be able to remain long out
of Cuba. if there is any opportunity for bringing
them home so that in all the problems which have
been worked out there has been ample denonstraS
the government is far from sufficient. The Army
War College Will occupy its new quarters IN I!e
Washington Barracks, where a we'll equipped bullu-
acting president OF the college Lieutenant Colonel
William W. wotherspoon, who has been chieI OF OF
officer destined to he apPointed 6fEaG 2,
general TO one of the several vacancies WHICH VIII
occur in that grade this year
NAVY REPLACING WOOp.-There is a posi-
h,litv that the navy will be equipped with metal
boats in place of the wooden craft which have been
used ever since the navy existed Ihere Is op-
position TO the plan, however, despite the adVah-
tages unquestonably In favor Of the metal boat
That type lacks neatness in appearance and OPP
portunity for distinctive decoration which endears
the wooden boat to the old navy men The metal
boat however is lighter in weight and that IS an
important consideration on board Of wv. waT s, IL
gun fire on shipboard and IS not SO easiIy SPIN IN
leu VII ~ csSrot ne So readily repaired In the
temporary way which is possible with the wooden
has taken up the subject with view to determin
ing just what extent it will be possible TO make
use OF the metal boats
FORT sLOCUM IMPROvEMENT.-The War
Department has in contemplation some important
work at Fort Slocun. n. Y. with view to i'm
proving the facilities and increasing the accom-
modations Of the general recruiting depot on
Davd's Island. A little less than 100000 Will be
pended in construction, including new bar
racks and quarters, the enlargement of the guard
house the construction of new drill hall to con-
tain gymnasium and bowling alleys. the cOnstruc-
ton of new receiving and existing barracks. quar-
ters for civilian employees. road work and new
sewer system. These changes. with the necessary
repairs on the buildings will place the post in ex-
celent condition for the reception and instruction
Of recruits and make 1t the principal and best
Ouartermaster General Humphrey paid a visit 20
Fort slocum last Sunday and INSPECTED tne I poSs
Island is about 81 acres in extent and was used
years 1t was leased as hospital station. Il was
bought bv the government in 1867 of Simon Leland
a0d his wife for SSS 900 II has been used as
cruitng depot practically since 1869.
UNDESIRABLE SOLDIERS ,OUsTED.-The
military authorities of the Department of the East
have been having some trouble with a soldier who
was apprehended for desertion and tried that
charge He had to be acquitted the technical
ground that he had never taken, strange as it
may appear the oath of enlistment His ae-
ouittal of course. served 20 keep him IN the
service. where his presence was not particu-
-n,1Vv~ r. c~rril fT- Of
desertion The question up how he should
he DISPOSED Of since he could not be dtShOnOranIy
discharged without the court martial sentence TO
that effect. For n small case there has been much
cIded that the culprit may be DISCHARGED without
honor. there being a precedent for this somewhat
10 the conclusion that ii would be Just as well
to get rid of a man who had deserted and whose
return unwilling. He was apt 70 couainu-
nicate his discomfort TO others and could only DC
expected remain under dUreSs
FIVE FAST DESTROYERS.-The Navy Depart
ment will shortly advertise for bids for the five
destroyers. some of which authorized for
struction two years ago. and the remainder at the
last session Of Congress. II has been decided to
make 2S knots the speed of these destroyers. For
a time some of the experts believed that the speed
building destrOyers OF 80 and IS knots. but the
department came TO the conclusion that il would
be better have destroyer capable OF the
tanned speed of q knots than something more
which could only be attained the trial trip. So
Tar as that is confederation il is doubtful if q
knots will be the sustained speed. 1t Is 10
strOyeTs down. There Is always an increase when
the destroyer goes into commission. and this
be equipped with turbines and Will probably be
lifted 70 burn oil instead or coal, as that will