The Washington herald., 1916-11-18
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column In City.

The scarcity OF petroleum presents one
OF the most serious problems with which
the navy has to contend, according to
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roose-
welt.
Some time ago. says Mr.. Roosevelt,
the Navy Department definitely adopt
ed the policy Of building exclusively oil
burning vessels. The navy cannot re-
vert to coal burning vessels without
enormous loss Of efficiency. and 1t will
not do so. We must have a reserve sup
ply In tankage. away from the imme-
| date coast line for reserve in time of
war; a current supply in tankage at fuel
ports and natural underground pro-
tected reserve to insure supply for the
future OF oil burning ships. We should
nave oil enough on hand in time Of peace
for full two years supply to the fleet
Tor war time. This system of tankage
should be begun Immediately and extend
ed as the number OF oil burning ships in
tne navy increases from year to year.
FOR our personal needs we should have
probably two millions of barrels"
Mr.. Roosevelt calls attention to the
fact that at this time the navy is burn
ing about $4,000 barrels a year. With
the steadily diminishing supply, both as
regards production and the number of
available sources of new supply the
problem Is steadily growing more seri-
Gus. AS the navy grows, more oil Is
necessary. and the all-important ques-
| tion Is where to obtain it, So precious
does Mr.. Roosevelt consider our oil that
ne believes that If necessary the gov
| ernment should purchase oil from for
| eign fields. in order to protect its own
sources OF supply.
The War Department is making out
commissions for about $50 civilians who
nave qualified as members of the Army
reserve Officers Corps. The rank 4.
not ABOVE that of major in line and stan
departments. No pay or allowances as
yet attaches to the position.
Provision will be made at the coming
session or Congress to provide funds for
payment of the officers in the event OF
actual service performed. The military
authorities are much gratified over the
interest which has been manifested in
the new branch of the service The ap-
plications for appointment to commits
stoned grades have far exceeded the ex-
pectation of the military authorities and
Indicate gratifying public appreciation
of an opportunity to serve in this new
| corps.
The General Staff of the army has ap-
proved and adopted for the army the
| drill regulations for the cavalry service
| prepared by board of army officers and
revised by committee OF the General
Stan.
The organization prescribed by the reg
! ulations conforms to that prescribed by
| law. The committee of army officers
found that the majority of officers IA
vored single rank. instead Of double rank
as the normal formation: leading" as
in the 1914 regulations; the statutory regi-
mental organization, and the column OF
| fours instead OF the column of platoons
as the habitual formation for march and
maneuver
The basic principles of the drill are
grouped and laid down with exactness
and at considerable length.
The request of Gen Funston for 80 OOl
for permanent winter quarters for Gen
Pershing's expedition at Colonia Dublar
makes 1t apparent that the United States
contemplates a prolonged stay OF troops
in Mexico.
| Gen. Funston has refused to comment
on his request to the War Department,
according to advices from the border. A
! high authority has suggested that per-
| haps Gen. Funston's request is a subtle
way of forcing the War Department to
| indicate its policy as to whether Pershing
\ is to be kept in Mexico indefinitely, is to
be withdrawn to the border. or is to be
allowed to 60 ahead and pursue Villa.