The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-11-29
OUR DIsPARAGED NAVY.

4 war with Spain would necessarily bc
naval war. and there il general impression
among our people that Spain would bc en-
tirly unable to cope with our navy. The
facts. however, are that willie the American
navy makes an imposing show on paper. 1t
j. really far inferior in numbers and effic'ci'-
cy I" that Of Spain. II any man may he
supposed to know precisely the conditioner
our fleet it is Admit Porter, and hc has just
declared that the force that We could make
Immediately available is the North Atlantic
squadron, consisting Of eight ships and
1850 men. To oppose this the Spaniaris
have already in Cuban waters fleet Of
fo,ty-Gve ships and 1900 men. Of our
iron clad fleet there are only tw" vessels
attached to the North Atlantic squadron.
the Manhattan and the Mahol'ac, which are
Of the Monitor pattern. and are better fit
ted for harb"r than sea service. In Admi-
raj Porter opinion, 1--WE have no similar
vessel that could cope with the Spanish
fricate Ala,elis. now in dry dock here.
and the Aawlis is but one OF fleet Of
nearly dozen powerful iron-clals whose
>,"cd may he judged from the fact that one
"f these marine monsters. the Tornado.
wa, able to "vcrtakc the Virginius. an cx-
crpti"nally fast vc>sel.-t;raphi'. Nov. ~.
If this is true it seems inconsistent for
the Gy"pL;e t" lc demanding the immcdi-
at" resignation Of Secretary Fish because
hr does not howl for war, whatever Spain
may do We think, however, the Graphic
and number "f prominent papers are un-
dcrratin. our navy. The report of the
Secretary Of the Navy. November &C. 1872.
shows the navy Of the United States num-
hers l1S vessels, carrying 1,21S guns, of
! which u are Observation-Disclosures
ing II. guns. Of which, only three were in
commission. The renal I.dcr-4S iron clatls;
carrying 1872 guns Of the heaviest calibr-
were at League Island and New Orleans,
and the rapidity with which they have been
put M in commission and sailed with full
! armament and stores. shows that the Adj
minstrati"n has been efficient. The Secrc-
! tary states that in several Of the most pow
erful ir',,-clad>. whose beams were Of wood,
those thinkers had been replaced with iron.
and were more effective than ever. There
is no difficulty in manning every vessel in
the navy. and the United States has never
had occasion to feel Inundated by the con-
duct Of her naval forces. So, although as
stated, the North Atlantic squadron at the
commencement Of this imbroglio may have
only numbered eight ships and 1900 men,
it must ie remembered that 49, ships, car
rying 091 guns, were out Of commission
and the larger portion Of them are in home
navy wards. available for sca on short notice.
While We are not in sympathy with the
loud and inconsidcratc clamor for immedi-
ate declaration Of hostilitics against Spain.
whicl, for various reasons has so many adj
vocates in the United States, VIC recognize
that SPANS refusal to make all rcparation
in her power. and to give good assurance
of subsequent respect to our flag and pro-
lection to the person and property of Amer.
ment desires to do this and is impotcnt to
do 80 and maintain itself, may lead to hos.
tilitic> in which the navy will have til,
br,nt Of the battles. We are aware tina,
Spain is now strong maritime power. Will
a navy rendered more efficient and fNrmida
bic by q number "f the best and swiftes
iro,-clad> ail"at. while the United State.
Government in reducing its navy t" lsac,
footing. with annual expenditures Of lest
than *s0. 100000 against *l40, 900, 900 al
required eight years ago, could not on TIN
moment count ny enormous and cost!
fleets "immcaiatcly available" for service
a. III Al.
, !" ''''"r,lv in cxisicnc" and ready f"r hattie
which will bc heard from with pride AMI
satisfaction il shot is fired. and with s,,cl
mountains Of sca-g"ing iron AZ the New
Ironsides. D,'nicrl'crg Puritan, Dictate
and Roanoke. even the much Wanted Arcp
: ellis and co,,-"rts will have Use for all thei
= g,ns-:lnd their "spccd."