New-York tribune., 1908-12-28
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Burdens Of Foot Soldiers Nay Be
Lessened.
tFr'r1 the Trfbune Bureau.


Washington December q
OvERvEIGHTED INFANTR YMEN.-One Of
the important questions which viii be taken
up by special board of army officers selected
from those of experience in infantry duties viii be
the attempt to devise of lessening the bur
den of the foot soldier Much criticism has been
filed with the War Department by officers who e1-
press the views OF the iufautryme1 who have "a ken
periodical practice marches in hch they laden
with the full equipment Of food. clothing and am
munton they supposed TO carry in time of &C
ton In some places the climate has been such
that these pra CtiCe marches have been viewed with
marked disfavor. and 1t was necessary some
months ago to modify the orders requiring the
marches to remove the dissatisfaction, as soldiers
were beginning TO express their dislike of the ser
vice and refusing 70 Te-enlist This would have the
effect OF discouraEing new enstments. II Is ap-
preciated by the military authorities that the sol
der who walks must bear In the field as little IN
the way of burden is possible for his efficiency
az fighting unit If any of the present load
be omitted. and carried the wagons or by the
pack animals. IT is realized that relief should be
afforded The War Department has accordingly
accumulated great deal Of information from vari-
Gus sources and the suggestions which are made by
subordinate officers. well by those in senior
command. are being compiled tn convenient form
and will be submitted TO the special board
UNSETTLED MARINEs.-The abandoned naval
station at Port Royal 8 c.. has been formally
turned over to the marine corps, which will occupy
the place, least for time, as school for junior
officers Of that branch. Later II is purpoSed to
move the school to permanent establishment az
New London. Conn. This school has been situated
at Annapolis but considerable friction is under
stood to have prevailed account of the presence
of the marine officers on the naval reservation with
the rnidshiprnen. More or less difficulty has been
encountered in adjusting the relations Of marine
officers under instruction and midshipmeu
who have not been commissioned as naval officers
1t is believed by the marine corps authorities that
the situation will be greatly improved By ha wing
the marine school OF application independent OF the
Naval Academy. There have recently ap-
pointed the corps forty-fve candidates who have
qualified physically and professionally These will
be at once sent to Port Royal instruction Sew
examination. rut failed physically and viii be re-
examined by the surgeons In some cases the de
fects Of such slight character that they will
be waived When this is done the nominations OF
all the qualified candidates will be sent 70 the Sen
ste. The irStructior at the school at Port Royal
vill be conducted by ten officers. and there viii be
on duty at tie establishment some three hundred
marines.
FRESH WATER sEAMAN's sCHOOL.-The
naval authorities are having much trouble with
some Of the vark which necessary TO do 70
complete the s290Ono naval training station the
Great Lakes. Much Of the work is well under way
bv contract but 1t has been found impossible TO eff
feet an arrangement for the construction OF six
seven buildings. including the quarters Of the COM
r1andant and the junior officers One contract was
ap srded but the contractor defaulted. with the
result that the government suffered loss Of co.
that amount in excess Every effort IS being made
70 have the station ready for use early IN 1910,
accomplish which Congress will be obliged - ap-
7-onriste an additional $4,000.