New-York tribune., 1908-10-19
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
rFrom The Tribune Buresu.I

washington, Dct 1a
ENDURANCE OF SCOUT sHIPs-one OF the
longest naval trial which has ever taken place
will be that which the three scout cruisers, the
Birmingham. the Chester and the Salem will soon
be subjected Four officers Of the navy. three OF
whora are engineers and one naval constructor
have been engaged in conducting preliminary tests
with the auxiliary machinery OF the vessels at Bos-
ton and this will be followed BY a series Of runs
from Hampton Roads It Is hoped early in Noven-
ber-et least the repairs TO the Bir-
mingham's damaged boiler tubes can be made
One Of the planned Is two thousand miles in
extent under the maximum speed Of twenty knots
This will be conducted with the ships in squad
ron formation and will give the experts chance to
observe the performance of the vessels under den-
teal conditions of weather There will be other
runs OF shorter distances at various speeds down
to twelve knots The results of the comparative
OF the scout cruisers important for the
that they will determine the relative econ
of the Parsons and the Curtis turbines and the
reciprocating engine. It is expected the informa-
ton thus derived will have influence upon the
plans for the machinery OF the next battleships de-
signed.
OIL FUEL FOR NAvY-The two new fleet col
hers which to be built for the one under
contract and the other by the government at Mare
Island Cal. will be designed with view 10 car
rying thousand tons of liquid fuel, In addition
TO the 1850 tons Of coal There will be addi-
tional cornpa rtrnent which must be constructed
coal
his is distinct advance the coiers which
have been built abroad although the English have
had for time what is as oilers; that is,
tank ships which make speciality Of carrying fuel
in liquid form The fleet Golfers will be the most
recent design in this type of vessel. and it de-
cided therefore, anticipate the increasing use of
liquid fuel by providing the means Of its transpor-
taton This requires facilities for its delivery to
such ships will be sustained by liquid fuel In
the general design which has been adopted. few of
oF
and its speed OF fourteen knots and carrying ca
pacity divulged for the guidance of bidders. who
invited to submit their plans and specihca-
tions which will also be used by the government in
dUplica Of the contract built ship IN the
structure which is built the Pacific Coast
Considerable interest attaches the opening OF the
bids next month for the collier owing to the oppor-
tunity afforded 10 inventors and others who have
scheme Of coang az which is going to be appre-
ciated important factor in feet endurance.
None Of the numerous devices which have been pre-
sented the attention of the experts has up
10 the requirements and considerable doubt is en-
teratned by the naval authorities 10 the success
ful issue in the latest endeavor
MARINE CORPS RENDEzvoUS-A use has
been found for the abandoned naval station
at Port Royal. s. c. 1t Will be used the tenn
porary station of the School of Application 10 which
newly appointed officers Of the marine corps sent
and which institution has been the Naval ACad-
envy reservation ANNAPOLIS. It is understood that
there has been less friction at Annapolis
account Of the presence of the junior officers OF the
marine corps and the midshipmen who also
under instruction there, and who do occupy the
status of commissioned officers Arrangements were
made time for the transfer Of this school
TO New London, Conn., but the accommodations at
that place not ready for occupancy. There
than fifty vacancies in the junior grade oS the
marine corps. and if these filed, is expected
as q result of the examination be held in the |
principal cities of the country under the auspices of
the Civil Service Commission il will be necessary TO
increase the facilities for instruction This is only
possible by locating temporarily the school at
other place than Annapolis. The naval station at
Port Royal is available and appears not to be need
ed for any other purpose Next year the school
will be permanently established at New London
NEW FIELD ARTILLERT.-The ermy General !
Staff will soon prepare programme for some ex- |
tensive trials 70 take place. probably at Fort Riley
Kansas TO afford opportunity 10 test under prac
teal conditions the field artillery equipment !
and guns which have just been designed and man
ufacured by the army ordnance department These
guns include heavier mechanism than has hitherto
been used and the field artilleries expect great
things from the armament. A redoUot similar |
to that attacked at Fort Riley last year only on
a larger scale and of greater resisting power, will
be erected This Will be attacked under conditions !
representing those prevailing in time OF This
Will furnish means observing the effect Of field
artillery fire against works which are thrown up |
for defence It will also show. the IN |
the experiment Of last year by what means re- |
doubt may be constructed and most successfully |
Withstand attack. The frings will not be made
more public than necessary, keep the information
from going abroad being Of use to a possible |
enemy.
OFFICERS FOR RIFLE MATCHEs.-The mill |
.arv experts are discussing the wisdom OF detailing
so many members of the service for duty at the |
national rife matches General Carter has sent /
IN 70 the War Department a report which aims 70 /
show that valuable time IS taken up by tnese |
heavy drafts upon the commissioned personnei as |
we'll as in the employment of troops at the big |
meet every year for duty guards and so forth |
He "a inclined 70 the opinion that II IS better TO
have target practice in the regular way, and not |
attempt TO furnish large force OF oHcefs Tor |
markers and u1npires at the national match' VI |
course il Is not suggested by any one that uIe |
army discontinue its representation at the matches
II fs considered that that competition stimulates
an interest IN craftsmanship which Is most Vaua-
be in the training of the soldier and 1t Is UNDER
stood that in the end that Is the object OF haV-
ing soldiers Another phase Of the situation Is |
furnished by the fact under the conditions pre-
yailing the officers who are sent from the army 10
the national matches observers, markers and IN
other capacities are not trained experienced in
the work and it is intimated that some OF them
were not sufficiently up TO all the tricks OF the
or,netitors to stop irregularities This has proved
the occasion of some dissatisfaction among the
se-,,ice rnarksnnen. who adhered strictly 10 the
-ules Of the contest and were sometimes beaten by
less scrupulous shooters. II is not possible 10
select experienced officers az all times. for the
reason that the available officers must be sent 10
the matches regardless Of their fitness for the
t, n which they are assigned their familiarity
with the work Altogether the army officials are
finding the question a somewhat troublesome one.
HOSPITAL CORPS LOBBY-The army med-