Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-21
ARMY NAVY
Resignation of Maj. Beckurts.

The President has accepted the resigna-
ton of Maj. Charles l.. Beckugts of the
9TH Infantry, to take effect at once. Maj.
Beckurts is from kentucky, and was APP
pointed to the army from civil life in
October. 1884. He was graduated from
the Infantry and Cavalry School in 1889.
His entire service has been in the infantry
arm. in which he reached the grade OF
ma jor in February. 1!WS He was recent
ly stationed at Plattsburg barracks, New
York.
Joint Artillery Encampmenr.
The Joint encampment of the regular
troops and the coast artillery reserves of
New York state will be held this year in
the artillery district of New London or in
the southern or eastern artillery district
of New York, at posts to be agreed upon
by the department commander, Maj. Gen.
Grant, and the state authorities. pro-
vided Congress apprOpriates the funds for
the purpose. The New York militia
authorities wished to limit their partici-
patton in this encampment entirely to
officers of the Coast Artillery Corps or
perhaps to few enlisted men in addi-
ton. and the War Department has con-
sented 10 that arrangement
Scarcity of Artillery Instructors.
The War Department is endeavoring to
meet the demands of the National Guard
for instructors in the use of field artil-
lery, branch of the militia service likely
to become much more important in the
immediate future, owing to the allowance
by Congress of liberal appropriations for
the procurement Of new guns for their
use. But at present it is impossible to
spare any non-commissionedo officers COM
moi IN
to the fact that special training is neces-
sary for such instructors. Therefore it
is now announced that the department
contemplates the formation of a new class
of commissioned officers at Fort Ri
ley, Kan, at an early date, and when they
have completed a suitable course the de-
partment will be glad to grant requests
for their detail.
Oppose Joint Militia Encampments.
The War Department does not view
with favor the project for joint en-
campment of the National Guard of Ne
braska, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma
and possibly of Iowa in September next
at Lake Contrary, near st. Joseph, Mo.
1t is believed that no material benefit
would be derived, SO far as field inStruc-
camp the militia Of several states, for
there would be no commander of the
whole, and consequently it would be i'm
practicable to have systematic and CO.
Ordinated instruction. Furthermore, the
transportation charges would be large
and the full time of the troops could not
be spent in legitimate military work. 1t
is not thought proper either shat such
oncampments should he held i'm conjunc-
ton with any other enterprise. Therefore
it is now announced that the department
cannot sanction or cooperate i'm any way
in such encampments or tournaments.
Prospective Army Assignments.
Col. George S. Anderson Of the 9th Cav
airy, who March 10 will be promoted to
the rank of brigadier general. will go to
the Philippines in May to assume com
mand Of the Department of Visayas, sue
ceeding Gen. Daniel H. Brush, who will
have completed his tour Of duty in the
islands by that time. Col. Robert X
Evans. who shortly will be appointed a
brigadier general. will succeed Col. Eras-
mus NJ Weaver in March as chief of the
militia division of the War Department
when the latter officer is promoted to the
craftsmanship of the Coast Artillery Corps.
When Brig. Gen. Arthur Murray. at
present chief Of the Coast Artillery. is
promoted to the rank of major general, in
March. in all probability he will be ap-
pointed commander of the Department OF
the Lakes at Chicago.
Change in Court of Inquiry
Because they had been connected in a
slight degree with the construction of the
battleship Delaware in an inspection ca
pacity, Secretary Meyer has relieved Com
mander Kenneth McAlpine and Lieut..
Commander S. K. Moses from duty on the
court which is to inquire into the recent
fatal boiler explosion on that ship. Com
mander f. Thesis and Lieut.. Commander
Harms have been substituted as members
of the court. 1t is explained that no re-
Election is intended on the officers first Sc
lccted.
Army Orders.
Second Lieut.. Paul r. Manchester, 9th
Infantry. will proceed to West Point. n.
", for duty at the United States Military
Academy.
By direction of the President, and upon
the application of First Sergt. Henry
Nurviller. 54th Company. Coast Artillery
Corps, that soldier will be placed upon
the retired list.
Capt. John A. Clark. Medical Corps.
will proceed to West Point. n. Y. for
temporary duty at the Military Academy
during the absence of Lieut.. Col. Frank
r. Keefer, Medical Corps
BY direction of the President and upon
the application of Cook Henry l.. Sharrer.
47th Company, Coast Artillery Corps, that
soldier will be placed upon the retired