The Portland daily press., 1880-12-03
THE NAVY.

Annual Report OF Secretary Thompson.
WASHINGTON Dec. 2.-The annual report of
the Secretary Of the Navy shows the net expen-
ditures for thc fiscal year were So, l4l 6S2 %
less than the amount applicable therefor. He
recommends that the Secretary of tie Navy
be authorized by law TO draw upon the com
mon fund for extraordinary expenses for loss
or waste aud loss in excess Of allowance to
each ship as established by law. He calls at
teDtion to the Importance of securing unani-
NIFTY by International arrangement between
the United States and other gov .rnmentS
relative to rules for navigation of the sea and
urges the importance of definite action ON the
part of Congress without further delay, and
says the amended regulations for this purpose
which are proposed by the British government
and advpted in all maritime nations except
the United States should be made statutory by
act of Congress.
The Secretary endorses the views of the com
mandant of the marine corps upon the neces-
slty for additional officers and men, aud re-
commends the force of privates be Increased
to 1000, and that fifteen additional second lieu
tenants be appointed to restore the corps of
lieutenants to prefer its strength.
The condition of the marine corps and naval
academy is pronounced satisfactory, and the
formation OF district class of cadet naval
constructors, and the restoration to the Presi-
dent of authority to appoint cadet midshipinen
at large is recommended. The apprentice or
training system is considered successful.
Regarding the Central and South American
trade the Secretary says he has caused sleps to
be taken for the establishment of a coaling
station upon each side of the Isthmus, one at
Chirigue lagoon on the Caribbean sea, and
another at Goltito bay on the Pacific. points
eminenty suitable both as regards naval us, 8
and commerce in that region. Coalng stations
also have been established at Pago Pago bay,
Samson Islands, and are being arranged for at
Punia Anenas Costa Rica.
The Secretary alludes to the trip of the
Tioonderoga under Commodore Shufedt. The
voyage consumed about two years and the
results are not only satisfactory to the depart
men,s but reflect the very highest credit upon
not succeed in opening the ports of Corea to
commercial intercourse with the United
States. he is believed to have laid the found
alton for future success. The Secretary con-
siders that the Pacific ocean opens to our
future commerce its br0adest aud most profit
able field. Upon the Atlantic it encounters
such a formidable European rivalry that it Can
only be overcome, if at all, by most persistent
and vigorous measures Of protection on the
part of the government. Our present advan-
ages on the Pacific are such that it will oe our
own fault if the benefits now promised to our
commerce are lost.
Secielary Thompson gives all the informa-
tOI that the government has of the steamer
-Jrannettes trip to the Arctic, and expresses
The belief she has reached Wrangel Island.
marks upon the relation of the navy to COM
merce, and says it is undoubtedly true that
whether our navy be regarded as protector of
our commerce or as essential means o. de-
fence, the number of vessels should be increas-
ed. and it is equally true that goud policy re-
quires the national government to employ
all its legitimate powers to increase
the strength of our mercantile marine
So long as merchant vessels built uu-
der English protection and patronage are al
lowed 10 draw annually from our wealth $780,
100000 as compensation for freighting our
commerce. just SO long will our inferiority ex-
'st. Whenever our own commerce shall be
carried OH i'll vessels owned and built by our
own people, capable of being turned into ships
OF war when necessary then we shall reach
point of equality with her aud be prepared
when necessity shall arise to test with her the
question of superiority upon the sea. he
time for active and energetic measures has
now arrived and every future of neglect will
add to our inferiority.