The Washington herald., 1915-10-03

home yard. but it is expected that the
Petrol, Wheeling, and perhaps some
others will eventually be similarly as
signed to New Orleans.
Submar rines LII .. ; and 4. ii,uilding at
Quincy. Mass, have recently Teen under
going their ofhciat trials a: Province
town. These tests have been successfully
completed so far as concerns those which
are ordinarily witnessed by the board Of
inspection and survey, the two last boats
Il 8 and lin fact, having completed
these tests in remarkably short time and
with practically no hitch or delay.
There now remains only the twenty
four-hour continuous demonstration at
sea to be completed before these boats
can be turned over to the Nav Depart
ment. and, although there have. been
some minor mishaps in some or the trials
for this test already undertaken. this is
not regarded as unusual OF disturbing.
ESPECIALLY when 1t is considered that
such runs do not permit of stop of
kind for whatevers scause. even though
trivial, and the contractors have no con-
cern about the machinery of these boats
being able to demonstrate this require
ment after having carried through the
other severe tests in the shops and at
Provincetown.
This will explain the misrepresentation
which cAused the publication earlier in
the week that these boats. not having
yet completed their trials. had been re-
jected by the department the fact being
that the trials have not yet proceeded
to the point of requiring the departments
acton.
The military authorities are much in
terested in the possibilities of the de-
for
Experiments in that direction have been
made by the national bureau Of physical
research. but not enough in formation
has been obtained to justify much in the
way of an expectation of beneficial re-
suits. 1t is believed that something may
be developed in favor of a paint or liquid
covering of tentage so as to protect the
texture from the influences of the eli
mate and appreciably prolong the life of
the material OF course. this would be
an important discovery and would add
considerably to the economies OF the
army quartermaster corps.
1t is reported that considerable loss
has been entailed of tentaSe on the Mex
ican border. where the canvas is sub
jccted to the cutting sand storms. 1t Is
found that the tents there do not last
nearly as long as they do elsewhere. In
another direction there is a detrimental
in Texas II has been found that alumi-
mum ware seriously deterioratcs under
the influence of the weather Of that re-
gion, and the army ordnance officers are
making an investigation to ascertain If
something cannot be done to give pro-
lection against this da image TO such arti-
cics These results must necessarily be
taken into consideration in determining
the additional, cost of the patrol of the
Mexican border and the maintenance of
an available force at Texas City.
Some important observations are made
by Mai Charles Miller, Seventh Infant
ry, senior instructor in the department
of languages at the Army Stan College,
who points out deficiency in knowledge
of foreign languages on the part OF the
average army officer. and the necessity
for the possession of such knowledge by
much larger per cent of our officers
than is now the case.
He proposes that an elementary knowl-
edge of a foreign language shall be made
requirement fer promotion OF second
and Of first lieutenants. a reasonable
period of time, perhaps as much as two
years. being allowed for preparation be-
fore making the requirement effective.
AS an inducement and reward for this
qualification, it is suggested that there
be created the place of officer inter-
prefer" the qualifications therefor to in
clude thorough advanced knowledge
of foreign language: only captains and
first and second lieutenants to, be eligi-
BILE: upon the successful passing OF the
required examination a certificate to be
issued good for three years; certificate to
be continued in force, for like periods,
upon successful passing discrimination.