New-York tribune., 1908-06-01
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Military authorities Confronted
zrith Many Problems.
IFronn The Tribune Bureau

The Tribune Bureau
Washington, May 81
TITRRET TEST ITNCoNvINCINc- -ohfcers who
attended the test conducted with the naval monitor
Florida, at Hampton Roads. not inclined TO re-
gard it as of much importance beyond showing
what was already believed that the skeleton mast
designed as part of the fire control equipment OF
naval ships would fully answer the purpose de-
sired This mast is made Of many ribs of metal
tubing interlaced to give much open space
and minimize the effect OF the shot of enemy
1t stood the attack. and this form Of mast, there
fore will replace the solid steel military mast
which has hitherto been used The idea is not
one. but it has taken about four years to
have tried In practical way. The firing on
the Flortda's turret showed that a certain amount
of damage done. but the fact that the one gun
mounted In the Florida turret did not have sights
interfered with the determination of the question
whether firing apparatus of the gun would have
been disturbed by the attack While 1t was possi-
BILE the turret it is believed by the experts
that IL the gun had been fully equipped II would
have suffered such dslodgement of features as to
render it unavailable. The experts are hoping
that the time will when similar attack will
be made under conditions which more nearly rep
resent possible attack in war. The firing at
Hampton Roads corresponded to distance of 100
yards. 1t is believed that much more serious re-
suits would have been obtained IL the firing was
under conditions representing a range Of 4.eS
yards, or 100 foot seconds velocity.
PAY INCREASE PROBLEMS.-The Controller
of Treasury is engaged in the consideration Of
Some thirty-fve forty questions which have been
presented him by the paymaster general OF the
navy. the paymaster general of the army and the
comnan andant the marine CORPS, calling for an IN
depreciation of the army and navy pay clauses IN
the two appropriation acts providing for increase
of nav Much care was exercised in the drafting
of the original clauses for this purpose. but IN
the constant and radical changes made in course
Of the session of Congress in the provision for IN
creasng service pay there were introduced many
sentences which found to be douotfui OF ap-
plication Among the most interesting of the
questions is that which relates to the allowance for
horses. Mounted pay. as it has been known In the
army has applied to some extent to the navy and
marine corps. Hereafter IL will be disbursed only
to officers as an actual allowance for animals really
owned by the individuals the limit Of possession
being two horses. 1t becomes question 10 What
extent this mounted pay will be applicable
whether. in case presented today, med1cal
officer, ordinarily considered as mounted on1cer'
may receive the allowance for two horses Wnlcn
he owns and maintains in anticipation of perform
ing mounted duty although for the present he is
attached to a transport, where, of course ne mas
no use for the horses. The officers Of the army,
navy and marine corps are awaiting with keen in
terest the decision of the Controller. In the mean
time paw officers must exercise their own Judgment
and run the risk of being held accountable for
money erroneously paid. The situation is one OF
vital interest also to the disbursing officers.
being made by the War Department for another
staff ride the details of which being considered
by the Army War College. The proposition is TO
visit parts of Virginia this probably in the
coming month. The object of this staff ride Is to
over ground which was the scene of engage
ments of more or less important military opera
tons In the Civil War The subject has been un-
der discussion by officers Of the Army War College
in connection with the developments of strategy
among those who attend this highly scientific
brap NJ Instr O0licv
of the War Department to encourage these staff
rides much possible For the last two years
officers from the army service school at Fort
Leavenworth have taken the route followed by
General Sherman in his celebrated march to the
sea. but of the experts has made system
attic observation OF the Virginia territory Most Of
the officers who attached to the Army War
College and those duty in the War Department
who may be spared expected to take part in
the coming staff ride.
INOFFENSIvE SUNDAY SPORTS.-The War
Department and the Navy Department will not alter
their position regarding Sunday diversions by en-
listed of the army and navy on account Of
any action taken in the church conventions hello
this season. The first step in that direction is
manifested by the Presbyterians at Kansas City,
who last week listened to a report which crticises
the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the
Navy for permitting Sunday baseball playing
the part of soldiers and sailors. The position Of
the authorities is that enlisted men have little
enough opportunity for relaxation and that after
the usual hours of Sunday worship it will be
tirely proper to allow them to play baseball on the
naval and military reservations where such con-
interfere with other peoples observ-
ance of the SABBATH II the games become
nufsanc. annoyaace in any way to the civil
community orders will be issued to have the mill
tary and naval reservations closed to the public.
ANARCHIST IN ARMY.-A which has at
tracted much attention in Washington has been
-Lot 1rbio boS opad he AIT anti Of
an army court martial at the Preside of San
Francisco. where Private William Duwaldo. Of
Company of the engineers. has been trial for
attending and participating in a meeting of
chists. This the meeting IN San Francisco
where Emma Goldman, the notorious haranguer
against government. delivered Of her charac-
teristfc defaraticrs of the United States. with
The soldier, who appears 10 have mad pretty
good record previously, made himself conspicuous
by attending the meeting in uniform and loudly
applaudins the speaker. - whom he rendered
special tribute at the close Of the session. The
court sentenced Duwaido to imprisonment for five
years which sentence reduced by Brigadier
General Funston. reviewing authority. 10 three
years imprisonment. action based On the prsvi-
good record Of the soldier during his fifteen
years Of service.
BUREAU POWER CURTAILED.-Much interest
will be attracted TO. and much comment made
upon a general order which is shortly be issued
from, the Navy Department. II aims 20 give the
Secretary of the Navy and the Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy direct authority with commandants
at navy yards other officers Hitherto instruc-
tions and orders have been sent through the Navy
Department bureaus, and where this not done,
as was the case recently, there has been or
less friction. The text OF the order, which will
strike soms officers being radical. follows:
Hereafter all orders issued by the Secretary OF