New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01
N.y.l A,,,m Phl,d.ph. Le............... ooSO7 90
Mainteusnes Of yards and docks 100000 90


Maintenance Of ysri'snd docks 100000 O'
sio2522S5 81
And to these added tho OF ssi5so % for current
repairs OF buildings docks and incidental expenses IL
| Of last year by rather more than o,coooo9 but
for the permanent Improvement Of the Navy nor the
amounts necessary either for the repair OF our
fleet no nor for the Gse
proper condition OF our naval establishment.
SUMMARY.
The foregoing Ia general report OF the condition.
situation and movements OF tho United States Navy for
past year. and until the OF the pres
ent month Since that tme however, events have
taken place which make 1t proper that the navy should
be put at once upon footing for active service IL is
by no means the province OF TINS Depsrtme9t' a a.
diplomatic question, nor should It's attitude az uine
when serious international difficulties are possible to be
held indicate anything more than determination on
the part OF military department Of the Government TO
be prepared for action should the necessity for action
arise THIS is the present condition OF public Affairs
and such is the attitude OF the Navy Department.
have felt 1t my duty under existing circumstances.
TO take promptly every means In my power to put our
available force IN the best possible condition Tor lmme
date and active service All the power ana means Ei
aided at every point by the enthusiastic actlv-.
ity OF officers OF every grade OF the service is.t
seemed. difficulties and even apparent mpossibltles
e. aas sy p Say ereaa IN ch
dtion that those whom interests aud honor are
now nrusted may be relieved from endorsements OF
a situation where Just determination might be disre-
garded because Thought to be poweress decent
sideraiOn be mistaken for fear. "
neither necessary nor proper that should enter
here into the details OF our preparations suce II 10
saw that respectable force OF war vessels and mon
tors already and concentrating Mt the sta
ton nearest the scene OF our possible .nae
whole available ron-cad heet Is In hand anu every
at the various naval stations These VIII pe reauy ,o
for them; and il the necessity action should come
before the time for it arrives all that there 10 OF tne
American Navy when can Dc pat suo i gu H 20 ss M
nrp Wi
Inadeguate as this force may reasonably be deemed
to the responsibilities and pretensons OF Govern
mept like ours, and greatly at disadvantage as we
certainly will be- in respect of number anu charac-
ter OF vessels in a contest. with the fleets of any
respectable naval power, | believe that the ac-
will be found equal any difficulty which courage dares
to meet energy viii avail 10 conquer Ihey are
thoroughly imDued with the SPIRIT educated IN the de
tails and experienced in the warke duties OF their
profession, skilled in the use OF all the terrible weapons
which has provided for modern warfare aud OF
a mood 10 meet any crisis without shrinking from
danger Thus prepared and In this spirit they are
ready meet any OF their cOuntrys adversares WIN
the means with which their country provides them
In taking the action above referred TO- the Navy De
partment has already incurred considerable expense
and has forced to assume some responsibilities
unusual in time OF peace. but convinced OF the wisdom
of prompt and decided action nave not snrunk from
these responsibilities nor hesitated with your approval
make wariike preparations IN the Interests OF peace
and humaplty. confidently rely for support in THIS at
ttude upon the patriotism and good sense OF the Amel
people and their representatives. who cannot t 10
remember that naval condition Is the result OF
which have been constantly pressed upon neir
constderatIo1 nut which nave falcd 10 receive u AT
tenton doubtless account OF more pressing present
requirements and obligations; and who Will also clearly
realize that duties constantly postponed are certain 10
be more difficult and much more expensive, when per
formed in haste, under the pressure Of imperous ne
cesslty. -.
Tue Department has had necessity to overstep It's
appropriations, even II It were awfu to do so. nut tue
pressing demands OF the present Will consume now,
what provided for the service OF the year. in sew
Of the working bureaus. These must be promptly
relieved II their work l. to on. The occasion mas
shown clearly, I think, that our Navy, ms IL exists,
should ut be put IN condition for active service,
ana in any event moderate appropriation Tor this pur
pose ought az to b. made Aud IL war should DY
any possibility come must be literally provided 10
utilize the means have and to provide others to meet
gro. NJ. robson, Secretary Of the Navy.
Pres