The Washington times., 1918-12-25
NAVAL ACADENY'S
PEACE OUTLOOK,

ANNAPOLIS. Nd, Dec. 25:-step.
to return the routine at the Naval
Academy to the normal will soon
have to be taken, and the Officials
are considering certain phases OF the
matter. The most important change
will be the return to the. four-year
course, one year having been cut
during the period of the emergency.
During the same period the num-
Der OF the entering class has been
greatly increased. but II Is believed
that such is the need OF officers that
the number will not be greatly dimin-
ished for some time. This will mean
that the student body will remain as
large as at present for some time, or
# may even be larger, due to the
fact that there will be four classes
at the academy instead OF two. This
will mean a stan OF instructors and
Of discipline and executive. officers
in proportion.
The class which entered last July
numbered e60, and the class which
will enter next July is expected to
number a full thousand. making II
the largest class ever entered. This
is stated by the officials of the aead :
emy on the basis of the vacancies
now existing and the appointments
permitted by law.
Cadets May Number :,400.
The number OF midshipmen is now
Zoo. About 4T5 will graduate in
juno. and other separations from the
service will bring the total with the
new class. to about 200 next year.
This will just iii Bancroft Hall. with
the additions. two midshipmen being
placed in each room. g.
The present first class will be grad
uated in June. The course has been
shortened a year by dropping the sec
ond class 1t has not been settled
whether the present third class viii
skip the second class and become the
graduating class next year or not
The present third class has taken
a part OF the advanced work and
may be allowed to graduate in three
years. though the law permitting the
shortening OF the course expires in
September. and may be a bar to IT,.
II this class simply advances to the
second class there will be no gradu-
alton in 1919, and the course will re-
turn to the normal after that year
The matter OF returning to the nor
NAL will depend upon the view Con-
gress takes OF the need for naval
officers. and this. in turn, upon the
naval program for the next few years.
II is believed here that there will be
need for a large number as promptly
as possible. The need may be met
by continuing temporary officers in
the service or by increasing the size
OF the classes at the Academy and re-
ducinE the period OF the course. or by
a combination OF both.
A. to Reserve Officers.
In this connection the future course
as to the training OF reserve officers
from civil walks or from the enlisted
personnel of the navy for the holding
OF temporary commissions in the
navy is to be determined. This train
ing. given to abou; $500 young men
war, has been one of the great
achievements OF the institution. A
class OF $50 is now completing
course of hfteen weeks.
There Is little doubt that il will be
allowed TO complete the course. but II
is not known. whether there will be
more classes sent here. These classes
have been quartered in temporary
barracks and the students attend Ger
tain classes with the midshipmen.
The requirements in the way of
extra officers in connection with their
training IL very small and there is
no interference with the regular rou-
tine at the Academy. II may be
found necessary to continue these
classes for some time and to retain
In the service the holders OF tempo
rary commissions.