The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-14
NEW SYSTEM IN NAVY
REGARDED AS CERTAIN
ginning of Redoubled Efforts to Reform the
Present Scheme of Administration

make it possible 10 develop the Marine
Corps TO its highest proficiency and
usefulness. The marines are the best
body Of SOldiery we have. and there
VIII be most excellent results'Srom this
change"
Admiral Evans expressed the opinion
that there HOuld be no new difficulties
about recruiting the Marine Corps. as
result of this new departure,
The men who viii have taken the
fleet around the world VIII return home
the most peculiarly skilled and qualified
naval leaders in the world They VIII
hope FOR recognition Of their services.
and there is already plenty OF evidence
that in their abseTGs their friends are
busy looking after their interests. On
the other hand, the bureau officers who
have been staying at home have not
been without recognition Of the COM
petition for their comforta ale berths
and desirable distinctions and have
been making the most Of their Oppor-
tuniues 10 get their positions nailed
down.
Ships Sad Experience.
one Of the most interesting and sug-
gestive features OF the cruise Of the
feet has come TO light. in current naval
gossip. II is based mainly on letters
received from people with the feet. and
relates to The sad experiences Of the
hospital ship Relief.
The Relief IS the most unpopular in
stitution in the navy. There is no ex-
cepliOn. There is not even a second
III the unEJpularity race. The Relief
has everything beaten.
This IS because oI the order, made
last winter, that the Relief should be
commanded by the chief medical OHlcei
The idea OF d doctor commanding snip
was Fidiculed, ana endless fun was
pOked at the pOsSiDi OF such a stu
alton. But the officers OF the Medical
Corps had long been struggling 10 gel
recognition along with OHlcers OF the
line, and they got A. The heleI was
sent away, following the fleet. IN charge
Of 4 naval doctor.
some sOrrOWful experiences on her way.
The line officers didn't approve the no
ton OF a doctor IN command IHey
didn't mutlny- Ihey knew peter. buSS
they have found mulutudluOuS ways OF
making life miserable TO the people IN
charge Of the hospital shin There Is a
sub rosa charge that something very
like cabal mas been formed, Win me
purpose Of proving that doctor can I
run a ship properly. Wherever the fleet
has been. the Relief has usually hmped
along rather behind the procession
All Kinds Of Troubles.
She has had trouble getting supplies,
getting coal, getting consideration OF all
kinds. Nobody was 10 blame; il always
lust happened. but e. always just hap
pented, too, that the Relief was the par
ticular vessel which suffered. Response
bluty could never be placed on anybody
in particular The suggestion that there
was a service conspiracy would be dis
proved IN 2 minute for want of evil
dence. -
But the fact remains that the Relief
has been buFdeled with woe from the
day she sailed, and that everybody IN
the uavy-except the doctors. of course
lis tlckled half TO death over IL all
The Door old Relief finally limped into
Manila, and report is that she viii give
un the struggle and stop on there
one story Is that this is perfectly reg
uIar and according TO preaFraugement,
but the other is that the Reliefs cruise
has been a hopeless failure, and that her
further effort TO continue with the Meet
is considered useless.