New-York tribune., 1913-07-13
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
Regular Troops on Duty in
Texas Are Dissatisfied.
fFrom The Trilyne Bureau J
,VsL4-,,, Tti

Texas. he will probably hear some OF the
complaints which are being made In per-
sonal letters from officers on duty win
the "a Division at Texas city.
n is understood that some OF the MILL
tary authorities connected with the troops
along the border will urge the Secretary
to take precautions in anticipation OF pos
sible hurricanes which are estimated TO
be due this year. II the history OF these
disasters warrants an expectation OF their
periodical recurrence.
There are m Texas city six regiments
OF infantry. one Of cavalry. one OF arul-
lcry and a battalion OF engineers ana
considerable apprehension IS entertainer
lest there should be severe storms which
would do serious damage 10 army prop
erty. The camp al Texas city IS only
ten feet above low water and there IS 1T
tie or no protection against the food
which generally accompanies these great
storms
In other respects serious dissatisfaction
prevails among the troops because OF the
severity Of the sunlight and the numerous
insects which constitute a continuous
pest
II has been dificult 20 do any mannu-
wiring because OF the heat and sun. sep
aration from the camp proper at Texas
City means exposure 20 tho glaring sun
light over unprotected territory where
thc temperature IS that OF desert
While the accommodations have been all
that the quartcrmastcr's department
could provide. there ar" adverse condl-
tions which can be overcome only by
adequate shelter. a modern water system
end efficient camp sanitation. In all those
respects the military authorities nave
worked diligently for the protection Of the
health Of tho command. and the records
of the medical officers show that success
has been attained I'm that direction.
n H. expected that the officers who are
now complaining IN letters. written mostly
to Representative and Senators and 10
their associates in the War Department
will In some way communicate their Views
10 the Secretary of War. The feeling
among army officers In Texas City Is m
tense and the discomfort has extended.
naturally. 10 the enlisted men. who md
II irksome TO remain unoccuped. as they
must. on account Of the heat and sun.
Tho situation is not improved by the
information from Washington that there
Is likely 10 be no change In the military
force In Texas city. II seems 20 be- re-
garded as necessary that the army
should De- maintained ln that ncighbor-
hood. Will" Democratic economy in the
way ~ transportation fund makes i'm
practicable IN" customary practice OF
changing from time 10 time IN" several
units Of the command
To GUARD POWDER SECRETS
Representatives. Of the Du Pont Powder
Company have Hled protest with the
War Department against what may be
the disclosure OF some important manu-
featuring secrets which the powder
makers have impaired IN other years 10
both the War Department and tho Navy
Department
n recently came 10 the knowledge NJ he
Du Pont firm that the military authori-
ties. presumably through Secretary Gar
rison. were disposed 10 grant tho request
made by representatives, of the French
government FOR FUN information concern
Ing the manufacture OF powder for tho
American army and navy. The willing
ness 10 share such confidential informt-
ton. involving secret processes ot manu-
iacturo. was the cause ~ amazement 10
the Du Pont firm. az n believed u had
an understanding With the military-naval
authorities I'm Washington that none OF
the Important methods conhdcntially I'M
parted should be divulgcd.
some time ago the French naval ON
GERS we're reported 20 have concluded that
tho powder carried on French warships
was not conducive 10 safety. At least
two serious disasters attributed 20 de-
fectiv, powder led 90 the drastic ste?
~ removing from tho ships the contents
Of the magazines. This was followed 10y
negotiations With th" Du Pout nrm io
sell 90 tho French government lars"
quantities of powder ~ tho same char
actcr as that supplied 10 the United
states military establishment The ytn-
was declined, as Was the suggestion tHat
the Du Pont nrm establish a powder plant
in France.
Oniclals Of the Du Pont company have
shared with the government all infornno-
ton concerning the manufacture Of pow
der and In other respects aided the War
and Navy departments IN the establish
mrnt and operation OF successful powder
plants. This was with the UNDERSTANDING
that certain information would be re-
gardcd as strictly confidential R"p'c'
sentatiycs OF the French government,
after the unsuccessful ovcrtures 40 hc
Du Pont nrm. approached the Secretary
OF the Navy and asked II his department
or It's Bureau of Ordnance could not ud
the French naval experts IN obtaining m
formation Of value IN producing powder
which would he dependable. The Navy
Department said IL was unable TO comply
with this request
Then the French representatives sought
the aid OF the Secretary of War Win
srch prospect OF success that. A. staocd'
the Du Pont men have entered q rc-
monstrancc. pointing out TO the War De-
partmcnt the necessity OF this govern
mcnt abiding by Us obligations TO the
manufacturers OF powder FOR It's military
and naval forces
ORDERS IssUED.-These orders have
been sued.
ARMY
Colonel SAMUEL IS. ptNNlNG. infantry, to
ARMY anu Navy General Hospital ho'
Sane nf Major PETER MURRAY, 22d In
fantry. placed on list detached umcetr- Srp-
tcmhsr l. and name of Major ARTHUR
JOHNSON. infantry. reno, Ell th'ielIoh
Major Johnson assigned TO I'D lntantr!,
september !.
Major THOMAS q. ASHRuRN. quartcrmaster
,otps. assun. charge construction Work fort
81 ~ -