The Washington herald., 1916-06-11

the Office of the Chief of Operations of
the Navy. presided over by Rear Admiral
Benson, is engaged in a minute study and
consideration of the lessons brought 10
Light by the battle,
Opinions in the navy vary to some ex-
tent. but it is generally admitted on al
sides that the Jutland fight demonstrated
the overwhelming superiority Of the
Dreadnought as a decisive factor In naval
fighting.
The fight of Dosser Bank gave the
first ,ntimation to naval ofdcers that 1t
was futile to consider battle cruisers as
ships for the FIRST line. under actual
warfare conditions, and the latest fight
only served to intensity this impression.
Another lesson officers claim to find In
the outcome Of the Jutlsnd conflict is the
strict necessity of a strategy board in
nsmuch as 1t seems that German STRAIT
egy. which was more highly developed
than the British. gave the Germans an
advantage that required the greater
weight of the British fleet to overcome.
Furthermore, the aid of aeroplanes is
not being ignored by oficers charged with
the administration Of the navy, and II
seems altogether likely that Congress
will shortly feel the necessity Of reflect
ing some of these lessons IN legislation
for the navy.
Regular Marine Corps posts and camps
will be available, during the coming sum
mer, for a limited number OF civilians
who desire TO take a course in military
training. An order making this possible
has been issued by Mai. Gen. George Bar
nett, commanding the Marine Corps.
The posts which will receive civilian
rockies will be used for that purpose
for one month. The posts have not been
designated yet, and 1t is stated that only
citizens of the United States who are be-
tween the ages OF Is and IS will be per
mitted to take the course,
The general rules for the military
course al these posts will be similar to
those in effect at other civilian camps
throughout the country and the scale Of
cost will range about the same.
The battleship Louisiana. recently re-
tired TO the reserve list. has been named
as the vessel to carry the civilians OF the
Fifth naval district, who desire to learn
something of naval defense. as applied
10 war conditions. The Fifth district en-
braces Maryland. Virginia and North
Carolina.
1t will be possible for the Louisiana to
take aboard about 100 civilians, in addi-
ton to her crew OF $50 men. Recruits
will be required to board ship at Norfolk,
Va. and all applications must be filed
before July 10, at any navy recruiting
station.
The cruise will last about four weeks
and will include practical instruction in
naval tactics and Will constitute. in ef-
feet, naval Plattsburg." The cruise
will cost about so per man, in addition
to necessities which can be supplied from
individual wardrobes.
The governments failure in years past
TO adequately chart the coast line Of the
United States. would be a serious menace
TO American war vessels as we'll as to
merchant ships, should the country. sud
Denly be plunged into war with a foreign
power.
Naval experts have long been cognizant
of this danger and increased activity OF
the Coast and Geodetic Survey to correct
all old costal charts on the basis Of new
surveys is reassuring.
American charts were found sadly
lacking at the time of the Spanish-Amer-
ican war and the navy was seriously
handicapped. Conditions at the present
time are improved. but officers lament
the fact that current appropriations for
the survey are still sadly short Of the
full amount needed for the successful
prosecution of the work
Inc army DOCK department at the
Fort Leavenworth army service schools
will not be permitted TO use a postal
frank for forwarding literature OF vari-
Gus kinds TO officers of the service, the
Postmaster General ruled.
The book department" is slang
phrase denotins a private concern oper-
atins at the service schools which deals
in publications of all sorts pertaining to
army work and inasmuch a. the Post
master has ruled that the concern oper-
ates at a profit, the use Of the frank is
refused.
Service officers say the department Is
not operated at a profit, but solely as a
courtesy TO officers in the service and as
an intermediary between publishers and
purchasers. The books are forwarded at
cost to the officers, who are saved much
annoyance.
Ofhcere of the navy are interested in
the facts recently presented by Capt
John G. Quinby. U. s. N. retired. to a
subcommittee OF the House of Repre-
sentatives. who told the House Commit
tee that of the eighty or more naval off,
GERS who were retired by the pluck
Ing board" only fourteen have applied
to be restored.
Many of the original eighty, II seems,
have died and others have found employ
ment in civil life. while additional off,
GERS have not sought reinstatement be-
cause of physical disqualifcations and
because they were Indifferent to action
of the present administration. as II ap-
Piled to their restoration to the line Of
the navy.
Capt. ouinby's case. however, is of
special interest He told the House Com
u1ittee that had he not been placed on
the retired list by the 'pluclxing board. "
he would have been promoted to the rank
of rear admiral on June 13, and that he
would have been the youngest rear ad-
miral on the active list. Ouinby said he
was retired on charges made by Rear
Admiral Doyle, U. S. N, who later asked
leave to withdraw the charges, but who
was refused on the ground that there
was no legal authority for such with
drawal.
Rear Admiral Sutherland, who was a
member of the board, when called upon
to testify, said that the action Of the
board did not mean that Capt. Quinby
was unfit for duty, but that the board,
confronted with the necessity Of max