Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1899 — FOR A LARGER NAVY. [ARTICLE]

FOR A LARGER NAVY.

Secretary Long Recommends an Increase in Vessels, Secretary Long calls for a larger navy in his annual report. He recommends the construction of three armored cruisers, three protected cruisers, aud twelve gunboats. These vessels, he urges, -should be added to the navy to give the United States a more prominent place as a naval power. Secretary Long also asks that the officers who participated in the battle in which Admiral Cervera’s fleet was destroyed be rewarded, as have those who were iii the battle of Manila bay. The report opens with a review of operations in the Philippine waters, saying that the principal duties of the Asiatic squadron have been to co-operate with the army and to maintain a blockade of such extent as has been determined by the general policy of campaign laid down by the War Department. Many important expeditions have been carried out, involving duty of an arduous character, and few casualties have occurred. As there is a “lack of harmony and adaptation” under the present organization of the bureau of construction, repair, steam engineering and repair, -Secretary Long recommends their reorganisation with one common head. He asks for authority to appoint graduates of the naval academy assistants to the naval constructors. The formation of a naval reserve is urged. Authority is also desired to establish commissary stores in remote stations like Cavite, Guam and Sitka. Coast surveys and an enlarged activity in the hydrographic bureau are desired. It is shown that S3OO, the maximum price allowed for armor, will not secure first-class armor, and a Government factory is suggested. A new battleship, the Kentucky', will be completed Dec. 24. Many vessels are now being built, nearly all of which will he finished in 1900. An estimate of the cost of these vessels is $62,570,610.23. • The cost of the present navy, with equipment, was approximately $250,000,000. In the navy is an enlisted force of 14,501 men, 87 per cent of whom ate Americans. A table incorporated shows the tonnage of the naval vessels under construction to be: England, 331,680; France, 255,533; Germany, 148,235; Italy, 120,540; Japan, 130,000; Russia, 222,975; United States, 123,236. Last year the cost of the navy vas $39,045,113.51. During the present year it will require $74,230,309.15, the increase being due to the improvements under way.