New-York tribune., 1908-01-20

coast defence guns and pointed out that the NOV
ing target which was used in the of three
small objects. did not afford any opportunity of
accurate observation of the hits. 1t was alleged
,hat the artfllerists laying claim 10 better
scores than they could make, and there was no
way OF verifying the claim as the methods OF
observation were based too much upon guessvork
The material target will be similar in dimensions
TO the navy target and must be punctured in order
10 gam credit for hit The difficulty in the artil-
iery is 10 get target which may be towed and
winch VIII maintain its erect position without
being pulled under the water or upset by the wind
ooiohei r.. M Weaver, assistant to the chief OF
" "4he1H' mas designed such q target, composed OF
ware netting, which will be supported on uprlghts
ana hoafed on small rafts. and be towed by
d tug some two hundred feet in advance. BY this
means the coast artillery fire can be accurately
observed Hits viii be indicated by the condition
Vi lhe target. The President has not yet acted
upon the other criticisms made by Commander
sims concerning the defective method of fire con-
tro4 IN the artillery.
RIDING TESTS IN THE ARMY.-The horseman-
snip tests ordered by the President to be ex-
tended as q measure TO Increase and determine the
physical efficiency of officers of the army. This
was indicated by General Bell, chief of staff, in
statements made by him to-day before the House
Committee on Military Affairs, which had he
army appropriation bill up for hearing. GeneEal
Bells comments showed him to be heartily in ac-
cord with the Presidents views to the pro-
Priety and necessity of these tests He said their
establishment form of army duty has proved
thus far success in demonstrating. as 1t was IN
tended to do. which officers in physical condl-
ton TO take the field. He intinated that in the
future these endurance tests will call for thirty
miles day in the saddle for three consecutive
days but he also suggested that when the test
has reached that degree Of severity some cons1d-
Grafton will into the determination as TO
which officers shall be subjected to it, the IN
ference being that the order then will not be all
inclusive as IT has been in the past
BEST ARMS FOR MILITIAMEN.-The War De-
partment is making every effort to have the Ma
tional Guard of New York and the rest OF the Or
ganized militia equipped with the new MODEL or
service magazine rife by April So The production
OF this is being FASTENED with all possible
speed at the armores, and soon as the distribu-
ton to the regular army is completed the ship
rnent will begin with the New York National Guard.
With the deliveries 10 the national guard organiza-
tions thus early in the year, ii will be possible 10
have the rife used in the national match of 1908.
This match will take place last year, at Camp
Perry. in Ohio beginning on August "A, and pre-
ceded by the usual two days of preliminary prac-
tice. Information has been impaired TO the ma
tfonal guard authorities at Albany 10 the effect
that the team selected TO represent New York at
the national match may carry its ammunition. pro-
vided such ammunition is taken to the range in
original sealed packages. The army ordnance
Office viii in due time send out the service car
tridges which TO be used in the contest These
sealed packages will be turned over to the author
tiles and later will be issued teams at the firing
points where they are to be used. In this way
exact uniformity of ammunition will be made pos
sibe.
SUBMARINE FLEET FLAGSHIP.-The Navy
Department will designate the Castine the par
ent boat for the submarines which to engage
in extensive manGuvres in Long Island Sound as
a preliminary TO the preparations of a scheme OF
operations for submarines in time of 1t IS
necessary 10 have a cruising he
Castine TO be used the living quarters of officers
and men who are connected with the submarines
on board which boats the accomrnoda tions are en-
trely inadequate II is also purposed to in
nection with the manRuvres, and to be associated
with submarine operations hereafter several motor
boats OF speed Of at least fifteen knots which is
greater than the surface and. OF course than the
speed Of the submarines. These motor
boats viii be used for patrolling purposes, TO
away any vessels likely TO get in the path OF a
sLbfnerged