The New York herald., 1873-11-23
The United states Navy-A Grand
and Immediate Armament Dc.
manded.

and Immediate Armament De-
mandcd.
Although the preparations already made by
Secretary Robson have been as complete as
the material at his disposal would allow, they
are far from satisfactory on the threshold OF
war with Spain. This is not the fault OF
the efficient Secretary; it is the fault OF
penurious, short-sighted Congress. But we
prefer not to dwell on the shortcomings Of that
debauchcd body, which closed its session
amid the excavations of the people, and we
only refer to it III order that useful lesson
may be taught the Forty-third Congress. AT
the outset its legislation on naval affairs must
evince broad catholic policy, and the spirit
of infnitesimal meanness which has always
entered into the Congressional treatment of
marine matters must be peremptorily
squelched. AS the anticipated war with
Spain demands immediate and bold action
the first question that ought to be
presented is the swittest possible means
to purchase powerful squadron Of iron-clad
cruisers in Europe. We assume that Secre-
tary Robson is alive to the importance Of this
fact, and that he is, through his subordinates,
thoroughly acquainted with the invulnerable
engines of war which can be put under way
for Cuban waters without moments delay.
We observe what we regard as an over con-
fdence in our ability to defeat Spain on the
sea on the part Of some authorities who
should be well informed as to naval affairs.
We regret this, because to convince ourselves
Of deception is to go into the struggle
neither forewarned nor forearmed 1t was the
'sixty days" business Of Mr.. Seward which
contributed largely to long and expensive
war against the Southern States, and that
war would have been much more protracted
had it not been for the amazing energy and
creditable boldness not unmixed with ex-
travagance, pursued by the vigorous Cameron.
Every Southern man who was in the conf
dence of the Confederate authorities says to-
day that 'Ir. Cameron whipped US III the
first six months of the war" We believe that
we should not only draw from our
own experience, but from the disastrous
haste which caused France to surrender a
million of men to foe scarcely her superior
in population or military renown. The con-
dihon of our navy such as our navy is, was
never better. The personnel is exemplifed in
a class of officers enthusiastic for war, closely
trained in all the speciaties of their profession
and competent to take command of any piece
of marine mechanism that can be devised or
constructed. The torpedo system, which has
been developed after years Of conscientious
study by probably the ablest ordnance officer
living, is combination Of the best features
of the European navies, strengthened by the
latest inventions of our own mechanics and
officers Harvey & Fish torpedoes stationary
cylinders, and subterranean' 'projectiles are
ready in finished condition in the hands of
officers who understand the use Of the danger
GUS missiles. We will not indiscreetly disclose
any information concerning these weapons,
but we feel sure that if favorable conditions
should arise for their employment against the
Spanish iron-clads few spars and smoke
stacks, like sticks shooting from the train
OF fire of an exploded rocket, would
plunge into the sea, while our
vessels could move off in search Of other prey.
Our monitors, with their heavy smooth-bore
calibres are superior in their peculiar powers
Of offence and defence as stationary engines
of war to any craft the Spaniards can send
to Cuban waters Our wooden ships are not
inferior in kind to the wooden ships of other
navies but it must be admitted that, in an
engagement with the iron-clads, they would
fall to pieces like scaffolding under the blows
of the sledge hammer. Admirably provided,
then, as we are in some respects we lack the
Ultima Thule Of naval warfare-iron-clad cruis-
ers. While all the Powers of Europe have
been building on the principles developed by
the revolution in naval warfare, as evidenced
by the operations of the Rebellion, we have
made no progress whatever. We have retro
graded rather than advanced. The dock
yards along the East River, which were once
the scene Of the proudest art Of our city, are
now repositories Of lumber and the haunts of
midnight river thieves. The few skilled me-
chanics who remain in the country are en-
ployed in other branches Of industry. What,
then, must we do? We must go abroad
as buyers in the market. Secretary
Robson should, without delay, obtain the
refusal Of a strong fleet of iron-clads,
and present his detailed statement to Con-
gress on the first day of the session, and de-
mand the adequate appropriation. The entire
nation will sustain him in vigorous action, and
we call upon him not to be fettered by consid-
erations of petty expenditure, for by such a
course he would be unjust to the navy, unjust
to the country and unjust to himself Vigor,
boldness and rapidity of execution should be
the policy Of the Navy Department at this
moment.
ToRPEDoEs. The approaches to our harbors
are to be protected by torpedoes The engi-
neer department of the navy will at once pre-