The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-10-26
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS

pointment of ensigns from the grad
yates of the Naval Academy At one
time the commissioning of midshipmen
was limited to those for whom there
were vacancies in the grade of ensign.
Other S We're discharged with year S
pay. Later it appeared that there was
shortage of officers, and the restriction
OF the statute was removed. 1t has not
been possible to promote more than
forty officers to the grade of lieutenant,
whereas the present output of the Naval
Academy is two hundred midshipmen a
year, and, of course, as many ensigns,
who, after three years, are made junior
lieutenants, where they stay.
The present system provides no means
of expanding the rate of promotion
from the grades of ensign and junior
lieutenant to the rank of lieutenant.
The advantages which are now being
observed in having commanders at a
younger age than has ever been the
case hitherto are attributable to the
former regulation of the commissioning
of the graduates of the Naval Academy.
The number of graduates commissioned
as ensign is altogether out of proper
ton to the opportunities of advance
ment to the grade of lieutenant, and
sooner or latter, or rather sooner than
later, the direful effect of this prepon-
derance of junior officers of arrested
promotion will form a "hump" com
pared with which the Civil War pro-
tuberance is not to be mentioned. In
addition, many officers are being retired
with the rank of rear admiral and com
ILL., -
overlook the fact that there are nearly
two hundred officers of those grades on
the retired list.
1t Is not to be expected that any sys-
tenn of promotion will make it possible
for all officers to go through all the
grades, desirable as that is for uni
fOrmity of promotion. 1t must become
question how the best qualified officers
can be used to the greatest advantage
in the service, and whether this can be
accomplished by placing restrictions on
the commissioning of the graduates of
the Naval Academy, or by method of
neutrality-suspicious. up or selection
out-or combination of that regula-
ton and elimination.
New Small Arms Firing MAMMAL
There will shortly he issued from the
war department new manual relating
to small arms firing, the provisions of
which 90 into effect on Jan /, 1910
This manual is of interest not only to
marksmen of the regular army, but to
those connected with the organized
militia. It establishes some new con-
ditions Of rife firing and is the result
of comprehensive investigation of the
subject by expert army officers of the
infantry and cavalry arms. In gen
eral the new features introduce eondi-
lions which more nearly correspond to
those which would prevail in time of
war. 1t was believed by the experts
that small arms firing should be con-
Quoted with the least possible aid 70
craftsmanship in order that those who
engage IN such work should increase
their skill and accuracy under circum
stances such as they would probably
encounter in battle. The extent to
which this idea has prevailed is shown
by the fact that the streamers which !
formerly were installed at the targets |
10 indicate the direction Of the wind |
will no longer be employed. Marks |
men must depend on the appearance Of |
the trees and the smoke near the fir |
ing as a guide, and this is what would |
happen in time of war Another i'm. /
FOr-ant feature Of the new manual is |
the Introduction of much field firing. |
There j. also an increase in the quail
6cations in the grades for which extra
is given. and the pro
vision Of skirmish firing at target
on d midrange target fame.
The object of those who have revised /
le manual has been TO eliminate as Il
much as possible the artificial condi-
ions which have hitherto been some
hing Of an aid to craftsmanship. but
obviously would not exist IN time Of
var. and which. it IS felt. marksmen
hould not come to depend on in the
ring which Is conducted by way Of
ractiSe.