The Washington herald., 1916-12-29
Army and Navy News
Rest service column n city.


Elementary naval training will be given
1000 civilians next summer. according to
plans being worked out by the Navy De-
partment. The course II designed TO NJ
men Tor naval reserve work In case or
emergency. Training camps will be es-
tablshed at various points on the At
lantic and Pacific coasts, and twelve bat
tleships of the reserve line viii be utilized
for the work
OF organizing motor boat squadrons OF
private craft. which was begun last sum-
mer.
The tentative schedule prepared by the
Navy Department provides for the COM
mencement of the course, both in the en-
campments and on shipboard, on July 2.
The cruise on board the battleships and
the land training will continue until Au-
gust 4. Mobilization of motor boat squad
rons for maneuvers win begin early in
september. A preliminary winter course
also will be provided at Philadelphia and
New York, particulars in regard to which
viii be made known soon.
1t Is said that the success of the ex-
perimentai cruise last summer, when 1000
civilians were instructed In the navy 4
auxiliary and administrative branches
was such that the department decided to
broaden the scope OF training The offer
lis made to such civilians throughout the
country as may desire an opportunity
to train themselves to become naval re-
servists."
Civilians who took the course last sum-
mer will be provided with facilities for
further and more advanced training on
board battleships Of the reserve feet.
These vessels will be under command OF
flag officer detailed for the purpose OF
training civilians who have passed In
the elementary course.
ARRANGEMENTS for q great naval dem
onstration to signalize American acquisi-
ton of the Danish West Indies are be-
Ing considered by State and Navy De-
partment officials. Probably the entire
Atlantic fleet will be ordered to St Thom-
as, the long-sought naval base, to parti-
cipate in the celebration.
Minister Brun, of Denmark, formally
has advised the State Department that
the treaty for the sale OF the islands
has been approved by King Christian
and will be dispatched from COPENHAGEN
on December %. It should reach here
two weeks later for Secretary Lansing's
signature.
The Atlantic feet will mobilize at
Guantanamo, Cuba. for winter maneu.
vers next month.
The appointment Of general officers to
command the five coast artillery districts
Is being advocated by Gen. z. NJ. Weaver,
chief of coast artillery. The plan has
met with the approval of the mobile
army, has the Endorsement OF the chief
OF STAN. and originated in the general
stan. The House Military Committee
looks tavorably upon the project
1t Is specified that the number of brig
adler generals authorized will not ex-
ceed the proportion Of officers of that
rank due to the coast artillery corps as
part of the list of the army based on
the total legally authorized commissioned
strength. II there be Incorporated IN the
army appropriation bill a provision OF
this character. 1t will also be provided
that colonels Of coast artillery shall not
be eligible for appointment as brigadier
general of the line Of the army at large.
The effect Of this would be to give to
the coast artillery its due proportion of
brigadier generals and to reserve to the
mobile army the vacancies Of all briga-
der generals to command infantry cav
airy, and field artillery brigades.
1nasmuch as the present number OF
general officers Of the line OF the army
was fixed apart from any consideration
Of the needs OF coast artillery districts
the appointment OF these officers will not
be permitted to reduce the present num-
Der OF general officers of the line of the
army.