The Washington herald., 1916-07-05

Naval officers are expected to raise a
storm OF disapprobation over a clause in
the naval appropriation bill, as It was
reported from the Naval Committee,
which makes compulsory longer length
OF service before eligibility for retire
ment.
Under the provision specified, officers Of
the navy who are Annapolis graduates,
will no longer be allowed TO retire at the
age Of GO, but must not be retired from
the navy who are Annapolis graduates
than age, until they have served forty
one years from the time of their gradu-
alton.
This clause, naturally, would result, II
1t becomes n law. in prolOnging the ac-
tive service Of many officers and while it
may operate to a certain advantage in
this effect, the navy is expected to fight
the measure as one which will block pro-
motion. Early in the present session Of
Congress. the Naval Committee directed
its questions along the line OF a longer
active service for officers and at that
time the navy strenuously opposed the
idea.
There seems to he some likelihood that
the navy will establish new naval
raining station on Hampton Roads, II
Congress can be persuaded to purchase
the tract of land formerly occupied by
the jamestown Exposition. The land,
naval officers say, is admirably suited
TO the purposes Of a naval training school
and will be a vast Improvement over
the tract hitherto occupied at st. Helena.
Not only would the acquisition of this
tract afford an opportunity for the es-
tablishment and maintenance of a train
ing station similar to the one at New
port, but It would also provide ample
space for drill ground and a recreation
playground for the men Of the fleet when
they are assembled in Hampton Roads
1t woud also severe the purpose of a
submarine base. Such a base it is un-
derstood. has been planned by the Navy
Department for Hampton Roads.
The schedule of officers comprising the
new regiments Of the army, which were
recently organized as of the first incre-
ment of the increase authorized by the
national defense act of June 3. last, prob
ably will be completed within the COM
ing week, according to information OBJ
tanned at the War Department
1t is also probable that telesraphic or
ders to officers who will be affected by
the transfers will be sent out from the
aNJd Idlll Stlltl dl ; OlllCt "llIllU lle next
few days
A list of the officers affected. entirely
tentative and admittedly incomplete, has
already been prepared. But this list does
not touch upon a number of cases 4
number Of officers are seeking to come
under the new schedule; others are try
ing equally hard to avoid It. Action on
all cases has been postponed. but It is
expected within the near future
Some 1,6C0 officers are affected by the
organization of the new regiments and
the subsequent transfer of officers to
commands. y vast deal of work has been
performed by the adjutant general :
office, is most creditable fashion, in order
to get the list in good order.
A preliminary report of the Naval Fuel
Board, headed by Rear Admiral John r.
Edwards L. S. n, retired, has been
made to Secretary of the Navy Daniels,
carrying with it recommendations which
are expected to bring an appropria ton
from Congress of $4,000 for the purpose