New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-06
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
an officer Compels Respect for
Neutrals' Rights.
From The Tribune Bureau.


A DIPLOMATIST IN COMMANDING officer of
the navy has recently rendered valuable
vices, from international point of view, and ex-
cited more appreciation at home and abroad than
Commander William Freeland Fullam, in charge of
the Marietta. in the Caribbean Sea. II has been
particularly fortunate for tho United States and
for foreign interests in general that within a year
his has been the nearest ship to the only two pO-
littcal disturbances that have occurred the West
ern Hemisphere and on each occasion he has been
able promptly exhibit knowledge of international
law and insure its application. The Marietta hap
pened to be the only national vessel in Cuban
waters last year in the critical period which led up
to the second American intervention Fullam i'm
mediately landed his buejackets at Cienfuegos and
protected property that had become the object Of
attack by the Cuban insurgents this prompt ac-
ton having such salutary effect the revolu-
tionists generally that they abstained from further
operations against plantations and foreign property
throughout the island was thereafter unmolested.
More recently Commander Fullams enforcement
of respect for the American flag and the rights of
neutrals along the northern and eastern coasts OF
Honduras and Nicaragua has been of especial value
not only for the present, but In establishing prece
dents which will be followed by naval officers here
after. Fullam was born at Pittsford. N Y. Oc-
tober 20 1855. and became a cadet midshipman for
the 10Th New York District in 1873 He has been
duty at the Naval Academy frequently between
cruises, and devoted much OF his time the study
OF questions of American policy becoming a
ognized authority them As commandant of
cadets he marched at the head OF the con-
splCuOus brigade IN the inaugural parade OF
year. ago. and was cheered continuously along the
line from the Capitol TO the White House. A high
authority several days referred Fullam In
these words: ut is contemporaneous history which
making In Central American waters. He has again
proved equal to delicate situation and has fJistt-
fed the expectations OF his seniors in the service
who have observed him a man of readiness OF
he Is fearless" : ,,cIseessuaI
LONGER COURSE AT WEST POINT-Tne War
Department is in something OF a quandary over the
situation which makes It necessary under a law
enacted at tho last session OF Congress 10 admit
10 the Military Academy March I. 1905 the
cadets who will succeed to the places made vacant
by the graduation OF members of the first class
on the following June. II intended when
this law enacted 10 lengthen the period OF in
struCtIon AT the Military Academy but I'm doing
this Congress failed TO make provision for the pay
and allowances Of the extra cadets. There hap
pens however. to he SUFFICIENT time before March
when the cadets will he admitted. TO obtain a
deficiency appropriation from Congress.
ORDINATIONS AT ANNAPOLIS-Tho Score
tary OF the Navy has approved the recommended
tion that exercises be held at the Naval Academy
Annapolis June s for the graduation on the
remainder OF the class Of 1907. There are now
seventy four members of that class which has
had two graduatIons one last September and the
second In February. This will probably be the
last class 10 have these premature graduations,
the Naval Academy authorities opposed to any
shortening OF the academic term Succeeding
superintcndents have iled protests against having
the midshipmen leave the academy within
shorter period than four years 20 be succeeded by
two years n sea II Ia considered this period
is hardly sufficient meet all the requirements and
At the young for their duties.