The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-15


are dead properly to tho government The
remainder OF tho navy made up Of tngs
aud despatch transport ships, is included
in tho tables. Among the recon mendaions made by
the Secretary increase OF what he distinguishes
the aggressive strength OF the navy, in order that
the commerce OF the United States may pc
more snectualiy protected Another recommended
ton is the adoption OF the torpedo and
ram service as the most efficient and economical or
vessels. He supports the latter suggestion 10
somewhat amusing description of the naval battle OF
the future contrasted with that Of the past. He
says
OF tho world IL Will DO seen at glance that whatever
may be capacity tor defensive. we not well
prepared Tor aggressive naval warfare and Y the pol
preparing Tor possible In time OF peace IS
wise, the line OF duty Is distinctly marked
out II seems 10 me, considering the recent develop
ments ny the Russian and Turkish navies in the Black
sea, tina, we should without delay carry our torpedo
experiments 10 q higher degree OF perfection tnan
they nave yet reached, and that it Is alto ether
practicable to do So The Admiralty OF Eng
land acknowledge their indebtedness to US for
valuable Is which they have derived from
me exner,ments we hava mus lar made. and Il Is
claiming TOO much to-day that for the change in
the system OF naval warfare brought about by the
Of torpedoos entitled 70 larger portion OF
credit than any other nation. While, of course, we
shalt enjoy the advantage Of this system 10 the extent
IL Is confidently believed that what
doing will, II proper aid Is gwen, lead to other
aud more valuable results. Already we arc
In as good CONDITION as any other nation
tor torpedo defence In all our harbors and
there is 10 reason why We cannot greatly improve
this Of our naval service as to make II equally
effective for attack by the method thus lar perfected
others now IN progress This result may be con-
sidered as assured. II suitable appropriations are
made therefor.
1t is believed that ram constructed upon proper
plan would DO able run down and sink the largest
ship in the world II employed Tor that purpose at The
proper time. Such Time occurs IN almost every
naval battle. and may readily Dc taken advansaso
old method Of warfare, before the Introduction
OF steam into men-oi-war, weak ships were constantly
exposed the hazard OF beng destroyed by strong
ones. But while, as now, this exposure is not so
great heretofore there is no reason why the same
power OF attack secured by steam. The
clusion, therefore, seems justified that the
Of the naves Of tho world. Together with the tor
pedo they will become almost irresistible he
Opinions now prevailing In Europe upon this
announced by telegraph that the English
government is constructing, at this time, q
large number Of torpedo vessels for which purpose
ali the shipbuiders tho Thames have been
gagged. contract has also been made for 5000 tor
and Russia is not behind England She IS build.
ing 100 torpedo boats alter the English model
and although II is true that these extraordinary prep
great Powers their example s useful to that 1t
shows the extent 70 which they have car
and demonstrates the necessity on the
part OF other nations Of awaiting themrelves
improvements.
battles OF the future will be in many important re-
spocts different from those Of the past, VIC may be
vol assured They viii IN grea. measure sure depend
a Of the ensmy's vessel Those having Inc
highest speed will the moro easily keep OF the way
OF adversary, and as a common sense OF danger
will necesstate the practice OF this precaution the
part OF the contending fleets they will nave to rely
tho certainty Of thor reaching and striking the YES
sells aimed at Fast SAILING vessels are far less apt to
fSa stp u.k cir md nj MI 4 a
further fact that modern ordnance is far effect
I've than that hitherto in use that IL is improved in
well agreed as to The necessity OF securing as
much speed 10 their ships-ofwar as pos
S we dsseo.d and
structcd, there is for believing that We
not ia this respect equal all other nations, mas.
much as we are not bchind any OF them 10 the kind
OF talent and genius SO necessary TO naval coustruc
tion.
Tho Secretary touches lightly upon the notorious
INSTRUMENTATION Of his department under the Robe
regime He merely says, In effect. that something
might have been differently II not better done, but
that he was not prepared to say that the peculiar
Management was the fault Of any In particular.
CONNIE nting upon the Secretary paper Mr.. Whit
borne says that In his opinion the support OF the
naval cstaplshment-that Is TO say the support and
pay OF It's officers and men, yards &c,
and ordinary repairs OF ships In service
can be brought down with proper and econ
omical management to the sum Of ST. DOC, 600
annum, and that large reirenchment in the ex.
penses OF the navy can be had particularly at the
yards, by the same caro- and control given 10
them which . prudent individual would do In
an establishment OF his own. III such n reduction
DO had. and the appropriations for the last two
fiscal years show that Il ID entirely practicable he
believes there DO but little dcolty in supporting
the navy at the sum stated. Assuming this to
that We have no navy In existence, but that
IL Is the duty OF tho government to create which
in its construction and equipment shall be in har-
mony with the improvements that have marked the
progress Of naval science within last few years,
an appropriation of from s2,o0o;o0o 10 $4,000. 900
year for that purposs-that Of creating navy and
which shall 70 hand In hand With the improvements
that are being daily madc-is a proper policy upon
tho part OF the government, and this will
involve an extra expenditure OF money per
annum OF about 81, 500, 000 being but little " any
than gwen for the support OF the navy prior
to tho war, and such expenditure OF money as no
believed would meet with a favorable response from
all classes and interests OF the country.
FOR THE RELIEF OF THE DISMAL SWAMP
CANAL COMPANY BILL AGREED UPON BY
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.
bill has been agreed upon by the House Commit
tee on Railways aud Canals Tor tho relief OF tho Dis
NAL swamp Canal Company. Tho matter was re-
fcrred TO a subcommittee consisting Of Messrs
Cabe, OF Virginia; Clark of New Jersey, and Camp,
OF Now York, who propose to guarantee the interest
on $500. 900 In forty-ycar bonds. tho Improve
mepis to DO carried on under tho direction
OF the Chief OF Eneineers and the money to
be expended under the direction OF the Secretary OF
,nc Treasury. The governm owns two.ans OF tho
stock, and originally appropriated 5000 900 Tor tho
improvement OF the canal oi this amount $780, 900
repaid revenues from the receipts OF business
II proposed TO guarantee the interest from the
revenues and to secure tho governments by a
lion on the franchise and property, 70 DO
a second mortgage, and 10 become n nrst
mortgage tho cxtinguishmcnt of the present hrst
NOR gage IL is also provided that the governments
should want to possess itself OF the entire improve
ment II can do by arbitration Of board OF three
engineers, one OF whom shall be appointed by tho
company and two by the United states The rival
ana Albe aria gsaaal lap.nap~ stxanu.