The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-27
Gun NAVAL FORCE IN THE WEST Ep;us.

| The Wcris for the Navy in the American
Hie.iiserrnnean-Ships and Guns Aaont-
False Ecoromy and it's Injury 10 Commerce
HAVANA, Dec. 10, 1868.
The disturbed condition of affairs in this is and, as
elsewhere liz the West Indies aud localities adjacent,
renders il important that the American naval force
In this vicinity should be OF the character and
strength sufficient TO protect American interests and
enable the United States TO exercise that moral n"a
ence which is her due That 1t Is rof III present.
can be seen at glance
.sstata, IN .e rate report or tie Secretary OF the
navy the North Atlantic squadron, under the com.
mand OF Rear Admiral Henry X. Iof, is composed
of the Contoocook (iagshipl, thirteen guns; Saco,
ten guns; Penobscot nine guns; iantic, five gunss
Gettysburg, nine guns, and Npsic, six guns. or these
the Saco beng in need Of extensive repairs, has
been withdrawn from the squadron and ordered
home. In accordance with orders from the Navy
Department vessel remains At Aspinya cons
stantly, being relieved at certain periods in order
that officers and crew may from the deeA
terous effects OF the climate leaving but fou
to represent the dignity OF the American nation, 70
protect ts commerce and Its citizens from Nova
Scotia to Laguayra including the Gulf OF Mexico,
the West Indies and the northern iarl %! South
America. In lllnes or peace tnis nilsnl he amply
sufficient but, as IS well known, IN the latter twd
localities mentioned revolutions have reached
chronic state and in view OF the new complications
certain to arise from the extensive nsurrecion III
tins island, not at all unlikely 10 DC seconded ~ Porto
RICO al an early date Is ridicuousiY unequal TO the
task required OF IL. From Hayti, 81. Domingo,
Vcnezueia, and from various ports In this island,
American representatives are calling loudly for
vessels for the protection or property and per-
son, and wule in some instances sucn Calls may be
prompted Dy otner reasons tnan the necessities "
the case II IS untuubted that the presence OF sucn
vessels often required and the force nj his dis
pOsai should be sufficiently large TO enable the
Admiral 10 comply with sacn just fe4urcnents
At pre5ent tue ContOocook Is III this LaiOoi ana
has been FOR some weeks past for ncr 70 cave
would be inprudent in view Of diculties likely 10
arse though the present condition Oh ars renders
II desirable that Il vessel should he seat 10 both
Nucvas anG santiago DC Cuba.
lhe INJURY done to American interests, both az
home abroad. by lhe l.ilse economy ,sServSed Dy
government OF the United states III the reduction
OF rs navy canno! be properly understood. from
oi nation ani rs consequent wealth. and greatness
lave always been commensurate with lne extent
and power Of It's navy a. commerce ever extends
itself a. IL IS Iostercd and protected. II j. almost III
variaby the case thai succeosu American nIeiGan-
tile houses established IN these islands and IN thd
various countries Of south America change their
natural character after u few years or become
merged INTO Enplish French or other ureign houses.
What little uf the American Character cbngs 10 them
IL in the person .! ia American Consul holdng that
position on account OF the advantages witch accrue
by ne TO MORN the maarert IN n re rogsFE
the United states affords so ttie protection TO I'll
citizens engaged IN commerce IN foreign countries,
thereby necessitating lie Introduction Vi capita and
persons Of other na,lOnalitles.
as u natural result this these houses. origi-
naly larse CUSTOMERS OF New York, BOSTON, Baltimore
or other merchant Of the United states transfer iGer
purchases 10 London Paris or Germany, and all
classes east and west, either directly or indirectly,
suffer rom tie effects
crying evil IN this connection IL the present
sulaf system Of the United states, too wcl under
stood 10 need explanation here, and through which
the interest ~ the nation l. ut al times made sad
servient 10 that 81 he Individual ana wich mas bad
the effect Oh sinking tnat country IN ts coiamercial
relations into an ao,ss q contempt nom w.Ic. Al
% Admiral .alfa.uts visits 10 81 tne poits VI La
rope VIII har,iiy fdlse IL.