New-York tribune., 1908-02-06
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
Ertensiuc Movements of Soldiers IN
Vic7o for Philippines.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau.

Washington February D.
THE MOVEMENT OF TROOPS.-The General
Staff Of the army has under consideration an eN-
tensive movement of troops. made necessary by the
fact that the schedule of soldiers destined for duty
in the Philippines and those to be recalled to the
United States does not extend beyond the departure
of the 7th Infantry from San Francisco on Apfii
and the return Of the 1st Infantry on May To- Ihe
next regiment to come back will be the Gath In
fantry which will leave Manila OH February 10 on
the transport Sherman. This regiment will go TO
Madison Barracks and Fort Ontario. New folh-
and take the place of the sd Infantry which sailed
to-day from San Francisco on the transport Bu-
ford The 24th Infantry will arrive at its New York
stations time to take part In the joint army ana
militia at Pine Plains In June ana July
as a part of the regular force drawn from VARIOUS
posts In the Department of the East TO participate
in the ercampments The rule governing the with
drawaI Of troops from the Philippines to be OBJ
served during the coming year will probably oe
that of recalling all troops after two years service
in the Philippines. Their places will be filed by
an equal number OF troops, In all probability sent
out from the United States. This is by no means
certain, however. and furnishes one OF the aues-
tions under consideration in the War Department
1t has been suggested that the military force III
the Philippines be reduced. This would have the
effect OF allowing troops longer period IN the
United States before their return TO the islands,
in addition to furnishing larger force at nome
and for the replacing of troops now on duty IN
Cuba should it be necessary to again send force
back from Cuba express the view that this
country will have take into consideration. IN It's
disposition of troops the probability that there VIII
always be need for regiment or two IN Cuoa
probably made up OF two battalions from
various regiments mostly Of the infantry arm, Win
smaller representation OF cavalry.
ABSENTEEISM IN ARMY.-Army officers. es-
pecially those on duty In Washington and else
where. who carried in the class OF commits
stoned personnel on detached duty are deeply iu-
faraS cd in he ftuoff ia being n
Quoted by the House Military Committee into the
extent of absenteeism. Much complaint has been
made by the military authorities that so many
officers remain detached duty. and it has been
recommended that their places in the line be filed
by the new appointees- This means a substantial
increase in the commissioned personnel. and 1t IS
doubtful II Congress authorizes 1t at tho present
session. In the mean time the members or the
House Military Committee have observed that
certain officers have been able to remain away
from their line commands for protracted periods,
and it is disclosed that, despite the regulations
on the subject, definite plan is followed by the
War Department in this matter Of assignment to
detached duty The question has como up whether
It would not be we'll to enact legislation which
will make ii impossible for line officer to be on
detached duty OF sort for more than four
years. succeeded by at least that length of
time with his line command This proposition IS
favored by the chief Of staff Of the army and
others in authority In tho War Department II
one OF the defects Of the system detailing line
officers to staff duty that the details held
cessively by much the same officers. This Is due
partly to the fact that the officers thus desis-
mated desire the duty and in cases they
have grown away" from the duties OF their line
commands, to make them more valuable
staff officers than as infantry, cavalry or
artillery officers. The War Department is await
ing with much interest the result Of the inquiry
which has been made by the House Military Com
rnittee along these lines 1t is believed that
nothing short Of a plainly stated mandatory law
will enable the military authorities TO control as
sgnments to detached duty.
NAVY WANTS SMALL MACHINE GUN.-An
effort is being made by the Navy Department to
obtain the means which shall furnish the navy
with the same small arm and machine gun which
Is used in the army The army is being equipped
with magazine rifle and the distribution is
expected TO be completed within few months,
when the will be distributed to the militia. In
the navy there are two types Of rifles and two
calibres of machine guns. requiring different kinds
OF ammunition. This multiplication OF ammunition
is an annoyance and requires extra space and
much care in the handling Of II. In the event Of
operations with the army, such in landing par
ties. there would be three types Of small arm,
quring that many different kinds OF ammunition.
The situation is which gives the authorities
much concern and IS considered subject requiring
immediate attention. recommendation has been
nlado to the Secretary Of the Navy that provision
be made for supplying the navy with machine guns
and rifles which shall be identical with the ord
nance furnished the army. In this way 1t viii be
possible to interchange parts and have the
sort of ammunition. 1t is hoped by the naval u
thorities that the naval appropriation bill, which IS
under consideration in the House Naval Com
nittee. will contain appropriation sufficient to
permit this installation.
ORDERS IssUED-The following orders have
been issued:
Major JOHN ELSTON BAXTER. quarterTnas..r, 20
ss charge o. construction ors wox at EanGeuys5 heE
deputy a,iarternaster general.
Second Iisusenan. cut cHaRLEs GEORGE Jr.. to
First faesitenant S OSCAR s. LusK I2sh Cavalry.
Second af n to- 4a
Field Artillery, Vancouver barracks
MARsHAII. from tia PEesidso. Of San Francisco.
Contrast surgeon ERNEST F. SLATER iron, Fort
to Madison barracks. NAVY
Passs,s Assistant surgeon W. n M;DONEII. detached
naval hospital New York. to recruiting station
Passed Assistant Psynas.er A. HovEY-FlING additional
uty fs faSa.eP Rsna Pff f. B. naS i o Hs prison.
navy yard Portsmouth
MOVEMENTS OF wARsHIPs.-The following
movements Of vessels have been reported to the
Navy Department:
February 2-rhs Cassar. at Georgetown. British Guiana
February 4-rhe whippIe. the Hopkins. the Hun the
SAILED.
February s.-The Milwaukee, from sausailto for MAG
T.bs1asY 4NTh. Montgomery League Island for
The wisconsin viii bc commissioned at the navy yard
at Puget Sound April I.
MORE DELAY ON W0THERSP00N.