The Washington herald., 1914-12-27
Army Items of Interest.

On January II at the Norfolk Navy
Yard win 20 into effect Secretary Daniels
4 plan of navy yard management I'm more
pronounced degree than that at New
York or New orleans. the system In all
three places contemp; Ing the separation
of the military and Industrial branches.
Rear Admiral Frank +. Beatty. who
| has been In command OF the third division
of the Atlantic feet and was formerly
commandant at the Washington Navy
Yard. will assume the duties OF COM
mandant at Norfolk January T. Naval
Constructor r. NJ Watt will assume the
duties of Industrial manager at that yard
on January II.
Assuming that the population Of the
globe Is 1,50o. 900 and that a generation
is thirty years, then In thirty years the
world will lose by death 10000. Assum-
ing further that this war lasts for three
years and costs the lives OF 100000. then
the percentage of loss by this war TO the
total number OF deaths in this generation
will be one in 1.5o0; not a very formidable
showing OF the horrors Of war, spectacu-
lar as they may appear at the time.
IL We assume that the class OF males from
whom the soldiers are drafted are one
fifth of the whole population, then the
proporti ion of those killed In war TO the
whole number OF deaths will be one to
sco
The army appropriation bill when re-
ported to the House will be found to con-
tain a new item of $4,000 for the pur-
chase and manufacture of armored motor
cars. This appropriation will be expend-
ed under the direction Of the chief of
ordnance. On this subject there was some
consultation when Gen. Crozier at the
time he appeared before the House Mill
tary Committee. cit appears that there
is at present under construction a vehicle
which is intended for experimental use.
In the discussions which are likely to
ensue among members of the House
Naval Committee, now that the increase
Of the navy is to be taken up, there Is
destined to be an animated exchange of
views as a result OF the hearings of naval
officers who have been questioned keenly
concerning the types and the design OF
ships. There has appeared a well-defined
notion that there should be provision for
auXiliaries. and Representative Roberts
takes the position. and will probably urge
1t upon his associates of the committee,
that the 1915 naval building program
should include mother ships, a hospital
ship, colliers, and other vessels that are
aids 10 the fleet.
The War and Navy departments have
made arrangements so that army and
navy officers on duty in Europe in the
capacity OF military and naval attaches
may not be seriously inconvenienced on
account of the war and its effect upon
financial transactions. Hitherto and in
normal times these attaches have made
drafts for funds on agents in London.
but such drafts are no longer negotiable
II has been arranged, therefore, with the
Treasury Department that our officers
who are stationed at the European capt.
tails may draw funds in gold from our
ambassadors at those places. to which
end the War and Navy departments have
deposited money with the Treasury Dc
partment, and such sums are now avail
able.
The House Military Committee has
failed TO incorporate in the army appro-
priation bill. as ii will be reported after
the holiday recess, the clause recon-
mended by the Judge Advocate General
divestinE the board OF commissioners OF
the Soldiers Home Of their function re-
specting the military prisons and repeal
ing a forgotten or an ignored law OF 1873,
which requires specifically that the Sec
retary of War. accompanied by the MEM
bers of the board. shall make semi-an-