The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-04-10
BY T.. u. JOHNS.

A heated controversy between the oN-
eCutive council OF the National Guard
and the leaders of the PlRttsburg military
training camp movement is developinG
as the result of the proceedings in the
Senate last week. lip 10 this time there
has been no organized movement against
the proposed militia legislation but now
the leaders of the Plattsburg movement
are openly opposing the essential feat
ures of the militia program.
This grows out of the fight which the
National Guard made against section =
of the Senate bill which provides for
the organization Of volunteer army
in the time of peace. Under this pruvi-
sion the summer military camps would
be given an official status The Presi.
dent is granted a wide scope Of author
ity 50 that he could accept volunteers on
terms Of enlistment which would permit
them to attend the summer Cncampments
During the period of training the stu.
dents at the camp would receive the pay
and allowances Of regular soldiers. This
would include a uniform and Other
equipment which under the present ar
rangements is purchased by the students
The provision is especially suited tC
college and high school students who
are willing to spend part of their vaca'
tion In a training camp. Under II they
would not only have their expenses paid
but would be given allowance which
would be about equal to the amount oil
money that the average student earns
during his vacation. The only obligation
of those who would enlist under this
provision would be that they attend
camp every year during the term OF en-.
listment and respond to the call Of the
President in the event OF war. The ad.
vocates Of the provision insist that these
camps would form a nucleus for a vol
unteer army.
The National Guard Association objects
to section Sc on the ground that it would
create another force of troops and weak
en- the militia. They insist that It Is
the Continental army in another form
and is as objectionable as the plans
which former Secretary of War CARR
son proposed in his program. It is con-
tended by the executive council Of the
National Guard Association that if the
students wish to serve their country they
should either enter the Regular Army OF
the National Guard.
Rear Admiral Victor Blue will be re-
lieved as chief of the Bureau of Navi-
cation early this spring. The secretary
has promised Admiral Blue that he will
be sent to sea as soon as the navy bill
mas Deen disposed OF ny congress.
In the event that Capt William S
Sims succeeds Admiral Blue the latter
will be assigned TO the Nevada. If Capt
Sims is not made chief Of the Bureau
of Navigation, Admiral Blue will prob
ably be appointed commander of the Ari-
Zona.
The Secretary of the Navy, now that
he has finished the preparation of his
legislative program, is giving Considera-
| ton to the prospective vacancy at the
! head of the Bureau of Navigation. Ad-
miral Blue has had an application TO &c
| to sea on file with the seCrCtry for four
or FIVE months. but for one reason or Other
the secretary has insisted upon Admiral
, Blue remaining in the department. Just
at present Capt. Sims seems to be the
| most probable successor of Admiral Blue
1t is stated that II the secretary has not
! already offered the Place to Capt Sims
he soon will.
Maj Gen. Commandant George Barnett
of the Marine Corps. is on an inspection
tour of the Marine Corps stations in the
South. He expects to return to Wash
ington on April 20. While on his trip he
will visit Charleston, Port Royal, Pensa'
| cola, Key West and New Orleans.
When the Atlantic feet returns from
southern waters q number of the Marine