Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-12-04
FIRST EDITION.
80 p. Nj.
TELEGRAPHIC.
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The annual
report of the secretary of the navy
was made public to-day. The secre-
tary, after referring to the various
snradrons and condition of the YES
sels of the navy, reviews the reports
of the chiefs of the different bureaus
Of the department, and calls atten-
t;on to the recommendations contain
ad therein. He then says: It is very
Gratifying to be enabled to report an
entirely satisfactory condition of af~
fairs in the instructive, disciplinary,
financial and sanitary management of
the naval academy, condition cred
table alike to the able and efficient
snnerintendent, officers and profess
ors and to the cadets themselves.
The prescribed course of study has
been pursued during the academic
year and practice ships have made
their usual summer cruises. Supt.
Rear Admiral G.. B. Balch, in his an
nual report, says that the ships have
been in high state of discipline and
officers. cadets and crew contented
and happy. On the subject of for
eign coaling secretary Thompson
says: I have caused steps to be ta-
ken for the establishment of a coaling
station upon each side of the
Tsthmus, at points suitable, both as
regards the naval uses and the COM
merce of that region. The one on
the east side is located at Cheriqui
lagoon, in the Caribbean sea, and in
the immediate vicinity of the veins
of coal already opened, and that on
the west at Bay Apollito, part OF
the Golfodulco in the Pacific. The
distance between them is less than
one hundred miles. The only two
safe and sufficiently commodious
harbors on the Isthmus are at these
points, and although the department
didn't, before making the deposits of
coal, acquire title to the lands oc-
cupied, yet it assured it
self that no difficulties would
be likely to arise on that
score. Although it was not an
ticipated that any political objection
would be made to the preliminary
examination and survey of these
waters with 80 usful an OBJ
iect, to these points as well
as to this government, in view,
yet careful instructions were given
to the commanders of the vessels
assigned to the performance of the
duty to the effect that if either gov~
ernment interposed any objection to
the movement they should immedi-
ately suspend operations and report
the matter to the department, in or
der that il might be made the sub
ject of diplomatic negotiation. In
as much, however, as no obstacle of
this kind was encountered, either at
Cheriqui lagoon on the Golfto.
Coal, in sufficient quantities, was de
posted at each harbor, and now re-
mains there for future use by our
vessels whenever it may be needed.
The question of acquiring a title to
a sufficient quantity of land upon
these harbors is necessarily left for
the subsequent action of the govern
ment. Initiatory steps have also
been taken to establish like station
at Punta Arenas in Costa Rica, and
it is believed that the department
will be enabled to accomplish this
before the expiration of many
months. With all these harbors
made Immediately accessible to our
ships by means of these important
stations, and such others as
may become desirable here
after, our intercourse with the
people of the United States
Of Columbia, of Costa Rica and Mic
aragua will soon become more di-
rect and intimate than has hitherto
been. That it will produce tavora-
bic and beneficial results, both to
them and US, can not be doubted.
By our treaty with the authorities of
the Sameon islands we acquired the
right to establish, a coaling station
upon the bay of Pago. Pago is on
the principal island of the group,
and I have caused coaling station
to be established. It is already sup
piled with several hundred tons of
coal.