New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-23
army } AND NAVY NOTES
Revision of Drill Regulations for
Infantry.
From The Tribune Bureau


CHANGES PLANNED.-An important
revision OF the infantry drill regulations.
which has been under consideration by
the experts Of that arm for several months,
wilysoon Ne announced by the War Depart
ment.' Radical changes in the drill of the
foot troops are proposed. The regulations,
which lave been arranged by a special
hoard. have been completed and are await
ing the approval OF General Wood, chief
~ STAFF, on his return from Cuba and
Panama
One OF the most important features OF
the rev regulations is that which increases
the strength Of the companies of infantry
from 100 10 $50 men. In a war of any i'm
portance IL would be necessary for this
country 70 put ut least 100000 infantry
men in tho field: and if this force were
organized into 15o-man companies IT is
estimated that there would be a saving OF
some siS2,90Oo0 year over a similar force
organized into tOD-man companies, owing
10 toe smaller number Of officers. bands.
orderlies, transportation equipment, horses
and mites required. For example, a 1Sl-
man company organization would reduce
the number Of subdivisions by 3,o0 COM
panies, $50 battalions 90 regiments, So
brsades and % divisions. with a saving of
p major generals. So brigadier generals and
their aids end staff officers, go regimental
colonies and their staffs. 80 lieutenant
colonies. 80 majors in command Of bat
talions and their STATS. l. so captains and
lieutenants and q large number of non
commissioned officers
This is the first proposition which has
come from any one connected with tho
amy providing for an increase in the
mobile army without mourning expense.
Tbs increase, Of course. is confined to tho
enlisted force. All Of the propositions
hitherto have represented an extra cost
because of the provision for additional Of
fcerS. For this reason and the fact that
there is provision for numerical strength
of infantry on a war basis, the new drill
regulations are of more importance than
Usually attaches to such subject
MORE SUBMARINES WANTED.-One
result OF tEc naval war game at the east
ern entrance of Long Island Sound will he
recommendations 10 Congress for a con-
siderable increase of the number of sub
marine Loats. Even tho commander OF the
attacking fleet, Admiral Osterhaus. had 10
admit in his official report 10 the Navy
Department that the submarines attached
10 the defensive feet had succeeded in
approaching his big battleships without
detection until they suddenly arose at the
short distance of five hundred yards from
the anchorage. Equipped with torpedoes
that easily travel five times that distance
at great speed, it would have been an easy
matter for the submarine commanders 10
have sent some Of the big ships clear out
Of the water if the war had been an act
uality. The obvious lesson is that in war
time a hostile feet will never dare anchor
off the coast if there is reason 10 suspect
the presence within twenty-five miles OF
any of the underwater craft; or IL they
do 40. they must have recourse TO the
British device Of strong chain torpedo nets
hung far out from the hulls by booms.