Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-07
Damage to the Connecticut.


cut by her striking reef rear Culebra
was confined almost altogether to the
bending of plate. and the total cost of
repairs will not exceed $4,000. For this
accident Capt. William Swift came near
losing his commission. AS 1t was he was
sentenced to suspension and a reduction
in numbers.
Limiting the Pardoning Power.
Gen. Duvall, acting chief of staff, has
made a ruling that it is not within the
authority Of departmental commander
to pardon or mitigate the punishment of
any military convict incarcerated in the
United States military prison at Fort
Leavenworth. Kan, or in the Pacific
branch thereof at Alcatraz Island, Cal.
Extensive Movements of Troops.
When he returns from his western tour
of inspection Gen. J. Franklin Bell chief
of staff Of the army, will pass upon the
order operating to effect changes during
the year 1908 in regiments now on for
eign service. The order affects one regi-
ment of cavalry and five regiments Of
infantry, stationed in the Philippines and
Alaska. The ordinary duration of serv-
ice in the Philippines as prescribed by the
War Department is two years. A tenta-
tive program providing for the transfer
of the regiments which are to come home
from the Philippines and Alaska and the
replacing them by regiments now in the
United States has been prepared, but it
was stated at army headquarters yester-
day that the program will require Gen.
Bells approval before it becomes opera
tive.
Discrimination Against Military
Uniform
Secretary Taft is expected to deal in
which has been a source of great deal
OF irritation to the military authorities
and condition for which there appears
to be no existing legal remedy. This is
the alleged discrimination practiced by
proprietors of amusement places against
non-CommissiOned officers and enlisted
men OF the army presumably because Of
their uniform. The army's efforts for leg
islatlon which will prevent such lis
elimination will be heartily seconded by
the navy, as it's men also have suffered
because of discrimination against enlisted
men while wearing their uniforms. The
most recent case with which the army
officials have interested themselves is that
of the proprietor of skating rink at
Plattsburg. N. Y. who, it is asserted, de-
ciined to admit to his place Of entertain
ment non-commissioned officer and two
enlisted men of the army because they
were wearing the uniform of the United
States Army. The matter was referred
to the Department of Justice with a view
to ascertaining whether anything might
be done under the New York law con-
corning equal accommodations in places
of public amusement. That department,
however, in view Of a recent decision of
the New York court. that the prohibition
or the statute applies only to discrimina-
tons based upon race, creed or color, does
not feel warranted In recommending that
any further action be taken
When Weapons May Be Used.
Gen. Wood, commanding the Philippines
division. has amended the general orders so
as to provide follows: Under no circum-
stances will the weapons of a soldier be
used against civil prisoner nor in effect
ing the arrest of a civilian or native, I'M
less in response to an attack with firearms
or other deadly weapons, or in resisting an
attempt on the part of civil prisoners ma
tiVes or others. to overpower the guard or
as last resort to prevent the escape Of
prisoners with whose safekeepng he has
been charged. In the latter instance fire.
arms Will only be used as prescribed In the
guard manual"
Carrying the Tin Cup.
In order to secure uniformity, Gen. Du-
vail, acting chief Of staff, has directed that
all dismounted troops shall hereafter carry
the tin cup inside the haversack
Badge for Indian Campaign.
By direction of the Secretary of War,
officers and enlisted men who served with
Troops E, F and l., Sd Cavalry, from Fort
Davis, Tex, and detachment of Troop NJ,
Sd Cavalry, from Camp Pena Colorado,
Tex, in June and July, 1885, in preventing
hostile Apache Indians from entering the
state of Texas during the campaign against
those Indians in Arizona and New Mexico
are entitled to the Indian campaign badge
provided for in general orders No. -, War
Department, January p, 1907.
Bandsmen Not Eligible.
Adj Gen. w. p. Hall has informed the
commanding general of the Department of
California that representative of the regi-
mental non-commissioned staff may enter
as a competitor in the small arms target
competitions, but that as bandsmen sta
toned in the United States Gncluding Alas
ka) and in Cuba are not allowed to en-
gage in regular target practice. they should
not be permitted to enter the departmental
competitions. Gen Hall said he was acting
in this matter by direction of the acting
secretary of war.
The Case of Maj. Dapray.
The War Department has received advices
that indicate that Major John A. Dapray.
U. 8. A, retired, will remain on duty with
the Florida militia. The governor has for
warded tribute to that officer and indi-
Gates that he does not share the views of
the adjutant general of the state rejecting
upon Major Daprays fitness to act as in
structor and inspector of the militia. 1t Is
surmised at the War Department that the
friction in Tallahassee Is largely political
and concerning largely the adjutant general
and the governor of the state Major
Dapray is at present at Fort Monroe, where
he is representing the state at the James,
town exposition
A Question of States Rights.
The War Department has before 1t the
question Of militia organizations, armed,
passing through other states than their
own on the way to encampments. This
question comes up in connection with the
movements of militia troops for exercise
this summer with the coast artillery 1t
Is imagined there will be no difficulty in
the matter, as there has never been any
question in the past concerning the pas
sage through an adjacent state of militia
organizations. Besides, the War Depart
ment has no authority in the matter beyond
designating the places where encampments
and exercises are to be held.
Engineer Troops Commended.
Brig. Gen. Barry, commanding the Army
of Cuban Pacification. has written a letter
to Gen. Mackenzie, chief of enpineers COM