New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-14
ARMY AND NAVY hottest
War Department Denies Respon-
SibiIity for Desertion.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau.

washington, august IL.
DESERTIoNs DECREASING.-Arm Of
ficers say that recent attacks on the ad-
ministration of the War Department on
account of desertions are based on igno-
rance of the facts A year ago the de-
seruons were of percentage which caused
considerable apprehension and led to some
emphatic remarks by the adjutant general
of the army. Much criticism of the mill
tary authorities has lately been expressed
because recruits are photographed and
subjected to the finger print record at en-.
listment. 1t is by this means that the
department is able to identify deserters
who return to the army under assumed
names. The photographs of deserters are
reproduced in circulars, 1000 copies OF
which are sent throughout the country.
The critics Of the administration say that
this proceeding places the soldier in a class
which entities him to entertain a grievance
and leads to desertion. The military au-
thorities declare that the system meets
with no objection among enlisted men. who
feel that it has been adopted entirely for
the benefit Of those who intend to do what
is right and to expose those who do wrong.
Because of these records, soldiers who
are disposed to desert are impressed with
wellnight impossible. That these records
had a direct and positive influence on de-
sertions and appreciably lessened the num-
Der of such violations of law in the last
fiscal year will be shown in the next re-
port of the adjutant general. 1t is possible
that the Secretary of War will have some
interesting remarks to make on this sub
iect in his annual report, in view of the
Misrepresentation which exists concerning
the Photographic and finger printing sys-
tenn
One of the principal causes Of desertions
is the absence of sufficient company COM
manders. owing to the large number of
captains who are on detached duty. Then.
too, some of the captains have attained
that grade so early in their careers that
they have not fully measured I'D to their
responsibilities.
Another influential factor is the absence
Of the canteen, the prohibition of Sunday
baseball playing and other interferences
with personal liberty, all of which con-
tribute to the soldiers discomfort
ORDERS IssUED-The following orders
have been issued:
Major 0DIS c. HoRNEY and EDWARD P.
o'HERN. ordnance department, to New
York City to attend meeting on August l6
OF joint army and navy board on smoke
less powder
Leave Of absence: Captain LINwooD E.
HANSON, 9th Infantry. month.
NAVY.
Captain H. S. KNAPP, to command the Ten
Captain E. E. HAYDEN. Commanders W. D.
MACDOUGALL and L. R. DE STEIGUER
Lieutenant Commander W. B. WELLS
Leutenants G. V STEWART. L. NJ
STEWART, J. s DOWELL, Jr., and G. NJ
BAUM, Lieutenant (junior grade) T. G.
ELLYSON, Pay Directors L. HUNT and
COE and b P. DUBOIS, commissioned
Acting Assistant Surgeons R. B. PRATT and
L. L. PRATT, appointed
Chief Carpenter W E SMITH, when dis
charged from naval hospital, New York,
await orders
Ensign. j B GOLDMAN. detached the Villa
lobos: to the Charleston.
Boatswain w. JAENICkE, to the Mohican.
Boatswain z. HEILMAN, to the Monterey
Boatswain Z. SWEENEY and Chief Carpenter
H. T. NEWMAN, to naval station. Cavite.
Gunner a. z. SKINNER and Carpenter H. V.
c. WETMORE, TO naval station Olongapo.
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS.-The fol-
lowing movements of vessels have been re-
ported to the Navy Department:
The Charleston ordered placed out of COM
mission at navy yard, Puget Sound. as
soon as practicable.
ARRIVED.
Aug 1.-THE Lebanon, at Iona Island: the