Evening star., 1923-12-17

finding as they stand unless some
legal question is raised.
Wide differences of opinion have
developed among the officers in the
department. over. the outcome of the
trials. 1t is generally conceded that
the blame rests almost entirely with
| the officers convicted by the court,
but there is much discussion as to
the extent of punishment deserved.
inere is a strong sentiment that dis
| mlssal Is warranted only IN cases
| where moral turpitude is involved
| ana that in cases of errors of judg-
ment. no matter how aggravated the
| circumstances, it is not justified.
| whatever the outcome, it seems
| assured that the matter will not be
| with consequent i'll effects on the
service. A number of inquiries have
| been received at the department for
| full information on the case from the
| Capitol and there are indications
| that certain members of Congress are
J contemplating taking the matter up
| While deploring, of course, the
| whole unfortunate incident and the
| bad effects it has on the Nays S
standing, departmental heads believe
learned and that it, will have a
| tendency to put the whole service
| on edge and spur the officer person
mel to greater efficiency. One phase
| from Watson down. officers and men
| conducted themselves in a most eX-
| emplary way when the disaster oc-
! CURED.
A compass school, modelled after
| the United States Navy Compass
| School at Washington, is being con-
Quoted aboard the U. s. S. Commodore
at the Great Lakes training station.
under the direction Of Lieut.. William
| school. Due to limited facilities
| available at present, the school is
open only to officers of the 1st Regi-
ment, stationed at Chicago.
Definite plans have been made for
the hakedown cruise of the u. S. S.
Colorado. one of the two new battle
ships. She will leave New York on
iterranean and will return in time
for her trials about March 1.
The other recent addition to the
en- route to the New York yard from
Hampton roads for installation of
her fire control and other finishing
touches. and will probably be there
for about four months. 1t is hoped
to get her into the fleet about July
/, in time for the gunnery year
She went into commission with a
crew of a little over 500 men of the
1200 she will carry as her compile
ment. She is practically full in all
ratings except apprentice seamen
and firemen. third class. which Will
allow her to fill up with recruits
though it is not intended to do this
until she is about ready to sail.
Announcement Is made at the de-
partment that Lieut.. Commander II.
p. Grow, now on duty In the bureau
of aeronautics, has been ordered to
Join the American mission in Peru as
aviation representative.
ARMY.
Three outstanding factors are
largely responsible for the present
low strength of the Regular Army,
according to opinions expressed In
service circles. 1t is estimated
that as of November 30 last the
strength Of the regular establishment
was los. $50, which is an unexpected
gain over the strength of the preced-
ing month. The three factors which
contribute to the low strength OF the
Army are:
Tho large number of expiring en-
listments which will terminate dur
ing December and January, difficulty
in obtaining aftidavits for reenllst-
ment papers and lack of interest on
the part of the enlisted men whose
service has expired. or about to ex-
pire in obtaining this consent.
At present the military establish
ment is short approximately 1900
enlisted men. which will further be
reduced during the months of De-
cember and January. due to expiring
enlistments. by 21.929. This unusual
ly large number of separations from
the service during these two months
is due to the expiratio of the three
year term enlistments which were
obtained in 1920, when the War De-
partment staged an enormous re-
cruiting drive in its efforts to re-
i
to it's then authorized figure of ESQ.,
900 men. Although the department
has increased its recruiting activ-
tiles recently, the authorities are
confronted with a large task in re-