The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-06-02
The British Outrages on our Commerce
our Navy now and in 1a16

The British Outrages on our Commerce
our Navy now and in 1916.
Accounts are daily reaching Us of new insults
to our Flag, by British cruisers, by firing into
and searching our merchant vessels.
1t is denied by Lord Napier, the British
minister, that his government has any compile
ity in the matter, but that ii is confined entirely
to the commander, Of the vessels which have
been guilty of the outrages upon Our CONNER.
cial marine, and promises a speedy enquiry
into the affair, and suitable punishment for the
offenders.
This looks very fair, and may be plausible
excuse, but some might doubt the guenuincness
Of such replies to the interrogatoiies of our
government, and that the commanders of these
cruisers were not wholly culpable.
Negotiations may be very proper in relation
to matters where there have been no agrees
ions by foreign power, but in case like the
present, the intervention of a seventy -four gun
ship, would be full as effective, and in our opin-
ion, bring about settlement quite as soon.
We append the following interesting article
from the ashington States, showing the alarm.
ing disparity between the British Naval force
and that Of ours, and our total inability to re-
tain that superiority Oh the sea in case of war
with that power. which we have heretofore en-
joyed. 1t says:
Sin our issue of yesterday we showed to what
humiliating condition we were reduced, SO far
as our means were concerned. of avencine the
insults gwen to our commercial marine by Brit.
ish cruisers. We repeat efectire ships
81 all classes compose the present navy of the
United States these are all in commission and
upon them alone are we to rely for protection
against insult. Is not this deplorable state of
things We have a commercial marine exceed.
ing in tonnage and enterprise any other nation
on the globe. Does Congress know this /? Do
the people know these facts IfCongress does
not, 1t should and the people will not accent
ignorance as an excuse. II the people never
knew before the deplorable state of our navy,
they will know it now. The whole country is
rising as one man, and demanding redress. posi-
tive and tangible such redress as will insure
US against future outrages.
The recollection Of our naval successes in
the last war has served us long enough to harp
upon. We have advanced wonderfully in all
things which constitute material wealth since
that time, but our navy has in fact .etrogra-
ded, insteaded Of keeping pace Herewith. On
this subject what are the facts?
The following is a comparison of the U, S.
naval force on the LIST of January, 1916. and
at the present time. The former is taken from
Doc. No. 1873, l4th, Cong. Ist SECS, and the
latter from the Navy Register for The current
year:
Sail Of vessels in good condition on the
Atlantic board. 40 an non
On the Lakes. 25 II Oro
Total on Jan. /, 1916. "a 47O0o
Sail Of vessels Of all classes in 1855 "a 1oi 40
Increase in number and tonnage since
1916, (42 years. 1850
In 1916 the tonnage Of the U. S. CONNER
cial marine was s5o,5oo
An &c, 100 the same (n rouna number) 100000
Thus, then, .forty-t,co years ago we found
sepentyJoar uessels. all in good and effective
condition, necessary to give protection to our
commerce. which was only eight hundred Mous-
an! tons; while now we find that, with a CON-
merce Of nearly flee millions of tons, we have
but thirty ships-of'car in commission to protect
it; which number could only be increased from
our present naval resources to the number of
fifty, and even then at great expense and delay.
What excuse can there he for such neglect to
our navy? Other nations have nurtured their
navies and kept pace with their other material
but we seem to have neglected
It until it is really farce.
By reference to the British Naval Register.
October, 1857, p. l79, we find the entire Brit.
l. G~-s... e