New-York tribune., 1912-03-03

I lean public. When a wave had SUBJ
merged a launch that he was command
/ ing and thrown 100 men into the water, he,
though a man of slight physique, dashed
into the river and saved score OF drown
ing men from death by his single efforts.
He would have continued his work OF res
cue had he not been bodily restrained by
those who knew that his strength was eX-
hausted.
The formation Of the present fourth class
began at the Naval Academy in June. II
now numbers 2O7 members. which will be
practically its full strength. For three
months before the regular academic year
begins on October !, they are taught row
Ing, the formation and use of steam en-
gines drilling i'm the manual Of arms
swimming, rudlmentary seamanship ana
have many hours of the arduouS setting
up drill" In September the class will be-
gin the study OF French and Spanish ana
when the academic term commences the
members will join the brigade and enter
upon the duties prescribed in the regular
curriculum of the academy for the fourth
classmen.
Athletics flourish from the moment that
the class is formed. The academy authori-
ties give official encouragement. Football
is the game Of the Naval Academy. The
chief aim in all athletics is To beat West
Point at the annual match Oh the gridiron.
Mr. Wheaton, OF Yale the coach OF the
Navy, is already at Annapolis to look over
the fourth class To see what football
material is In it available for the West
Point struggle.
While the fourth class men are obtaining
! off IN practipal
seamanship and rudimentary nautical work.
and advancing in athletic acquirements
they are also imblbng the unwritton law
that obtains among the midshipmen them
selves The three upper classes. as body
are now in Europe on their annual prac-
tice cruise; but there are enough of them
left here. awaiting re-examinations, TO en-
| force respect for the code If necessary
One of its elementary principles is TO ad-
dress the 'plebes" with foolish questions,
and then to visit upon them harsh penal
ties If they dare smile or laugh at the alb
surdity of the questions.
DISCIPLINE OF THE "PLEBE."
The "plebe" must stand at attention"
when an upper class man comes into his
room and put his nose against the wall at
the slightest animation that such an atti-
tude would be agreeable TO the senior. This
law demands that the fourth class man must
| keep off the seniors benches, not walk iD
| Lovers Lane or on the second and first
class walks. 1t requires that he obey all
orders, legal or illegal, from his superior
| onlcer-that is. senior midshpman. Most
/ of the requirements of the code afford only
amusement to the "plebe." But more than
one ugly fellow uses the law of the code
! to annoy, demean and injure the "plebes
! When the authorities discover any such
hazing or running, no matter how slight
the character of 1t, they infict summary
punishment graded in penalty. Of demerits,
according to the gravity OF the offence.
In the fourth class and first year OF his
| novitiate, one over 300 demerits will "bilge'
that is, dismiss. a midshipman. In the
second year, he may receive 25o dement's
without being dismissed; In the third, 200;
in the fourth and graduating year. $50. On
the last day OF his second year. some years
ago midshipman found himself with ex-
| actly $50 dement's. He was not bad
"youngster." only thoughtless. In order
TO save his appointment, he went to his
room. studies for the year being over
| locked his door. passed the day In his quar-
ters, and safely crossed the breakers. on
his last day at the Naval Academy, grad
uate, a few years since. discovered himself
credited with li9 demerits, and had also
committed that day breach of the regu-
lations that carried penalty OF TWO de-
merits, Every midshiman was asking the