The Washington herald., 1916-07-19
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest and Most Complete News Service and Personnel Published
in Washington

Probably the main part Of the discus
sion regarding the navy personnel in
the navy appropriation bill now nearing
Its completion at the Capitol is to deter
mine the number Of commissioned off,
GERS. The bill proposes that the total
number of commissioned officers shall be
four per cent of the total enlisted
strength of the active list authorized by
law"
Now. the main issue is to determine
how many elements-and what they are
enter into the total enlisted strength"
II is maintained by various legislators
that there are ten or twelve different
classes OF enlisted men in the navy. all
of which are factors in the total strength
mentioned. Some of these. It is claimed,
could not properly be included on the
basis proposed for the navy personnel.
This difficulty is to be decided as soon
as possible
Is the Porto Rican regiment OF infantry
part of the regular army OF the United
States?
The quartermaster general of the Unit
ed States army has asked for a final de-
Cision on this matter in order that he
might be guided in his preparation Of
estimates for pay, etc, etc. for the forth
coming year
The Porto Rican regiment, il is insist
ed by many army officials. is a part Of
our national defense of 1900 men. and
as such is entitled TO a consideration in
the proposed pay schedule of the quar-
termaster general for the fiscal year. At
the present time. however. thee is no
statute or law which deslgnates the Porto
Rlcans or the Philippine scouts as en-
listed soldiers of the national army. The
quartermaster general does not expect
to introduce his new pay estimate unit!
hnal decision has been made on this
matter.
On July Gen. E. NJ. Weaver. chief of
the United States army coast artillery
became a major general. His promotion
was in consequence OF a clause in the
fortificat!on act approved on that date
The clause was inserted at the instance
of Senator La Toilette, of Wisconsin. and
reads JhUs. Provided. that hereafter
the chief Of coast artillery shall have
the rank. pay and allowances Of a
major general.
According to the act of February >.
1901. only general officers OF the line"
could be promoted 10 the rank of a
major general. STAFF officers. such as
adjutant generals, inspector generals. and
other officers of the general army staff
were not in line for promotion to the
rank OF major general Il I this stumbling
block In the way OF Gen. Weaver's
promotion has now BEEN done away with.
Officials OF the War Department have
been informed by the Texas military
authorities that quantity of ammuni-
tion has been seized at Eagle Pass while
on its way to the San Antonio Arsenal
for storage. The garrison at Eagle Pass,
it is stated, is adequate for the protec-
tion of this seized ammunition. But it
is maintained that any serious moment
may reduce the force TO such a point that
security against theft. fire or other loss
! could not be given" Efforts are being
made to concentrate an entire force at
the Eagle Pass providing at the same
! time that no soldiers be drawn away for
! service elsewhere.
1t is generally conceded that in view
of the criticism made daily regarding the
transportation of the National Guards
to the Mexican border, the Secretary of
War will be prepared to answer fully
the resolution presented by Representa-
tive Moore, Of Pennsylvania, calling for
information concerning the means Of
travel furnished the National Guards
during the time of their mobilization.
Secretary Baker is already preparing his
explanation.