The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-12-03
AN ALLEGED NAVY
er -. & = = a
WHAT II Is AND WHAT N OUaHT
Il . TO BE! & 2 70
Annual Report OF the secreiary-condi-
tlon or our Naval Forces, Bo.caiitd,
and Come Recommendations for
the Improvement Of that
Branch Of Service. 8

report OF Secretary Thompson has beel
made public. The total gross amoun
available for the year was sl4. e,e42, sub
ject to deduction by the surplus fund war
rant Of 81, ,s9s, which leaves the net amoun
at sl4,7o4.e44. The expenditures wer'
ST., 2,9le,e3s, leayinga balance pnexpende'
at the end OF the year Of 81, 1885, 004, to this
however, should be added the net amoun
unexpended, in hands for the pay Of Off
GERS, as shown at the Office OF the Fourth
Auditor, OF SS53,66 which show
that the net expenditures for th'
fiscal year were S2,l4l, 1872 less
than the amount applicable. there
Tor. The number OF Navy Pensions or
the rolls June Soth, 1880, was $3.50, anc
the amount paid during the year on &C
count OF pensions was S752,7T. The to
tai amount available for operations for the
present fiscal year ending June 3Oth, 1882
Ia Sl5,953,76l. The Secretary recon-
mends the repeal OF the provisions of the
act OF June II, 1873, so as to restore 10
the President the authority to appoint
ten cadet midshipmen at large annually.
In calling attention to the growing com.
mercial importance OF Central and South
American States, whose trade Is likely to
pass entirely out Of our hands II prompt
and vigorous measures are not taken II
secure It, the Secretary continues: "All
that the Navy Department can properly
do to this end, has been done. ! have
deemed II an imperative public duty TO
send our ships OF war into as many OF their
ports as possible, with view Of ennabling
the authorities and people OF these coun.
tries to understand that 1t Is our desire to
cultivate with them the most amicablecom.
mercial relations, and that both their own
interests and ours would be thereby pro.
NOTED. The products OF South America,
which reach the Pacific coast, can only
reach this country by way Of San Fran.
cisco or the Isthmus OF Panama, conse-
auently have also felt it my duty 10
inaugurate such steps as were calculated
to establish more intimate relations with
the States and people upon each side OF
that Isthmus. The authority Of the Sec.
rotary OF the Navy is limited upon this
subject and and does not extend beyond
the location OF the stations at the points
where our vessels touch, or. may be In
duced to touch, In order TO promote com.
mercial intercourse where 1t Is already
established, or to invite 1t where It 10 not.
have, therefore, caused steps to be taken
for the establishment OF coaling stations
upon each side OF the 1sthmus, at points
eminently suitable, both as regards naval
uses and commerce in that region. The
one on the east is located at Chirique La.
COON, in the Caribbean Sea, and in the i'm
mediate vicinity veins Of coal have al
ready been opened; and that on the west
at the Bay Of COLTS, aport OF the Gull
OF Dulce, on the Pacific. The distance be.
tween them Is less than one hundred
miles. The onlytwo sale and sufficient,
commodious harbors on the Isthmus are
at these points, and although the Depart.
ment did not, before making deposits Of
coal, ACQUIRE title to the lands occupied,
vet II assured itself that no difficulty would
be likely TO arise on that score. Although
It was not anticipated that any political
objection would be made to the prelimin-
sry examination and survey Of those
waters with go useful an object to these
ports as well as to this Government in
view, Iyet careful instructions were given
To the'commanders OF vessels assigned to
the performance OF the duty to the effect
that II either Government interposed any
objection to the movement they should
Immediately suspend operations and re.
port to the Department, in order that
II might be made the subject Of
diplomatic negotiations. lnasmnch, how
ever, as no obstacle OF this kind was sur
mounted, either at Chirique, Lagoon or
Golfto, coal in sufficient quantities was
deposited at each harbor, and now re.
mains there for future use by ourv vessels
whenever It may be needed. The ques-
tion OF acquiring title to sufficient guam
tity OF land upon these harbors is necessa.
rily left for the subsequent action OF the
government. IniIiatory steps have also
been taken to establish like station at
Punta Arenas in Costa Rico, and It Is be-
lieyed the department will be enabled TO
accomplish this before the expiration ot
many months.
Il would be greatly to the advantage Of
the United States and contribute much 70
the economical management oil the Naval
Department. II acquisitions similar to those
l have mentioned were made In other
parts OF the world within the courses OF
our existing and contemplated commerce.
The strong maritime powers OF Eu.
rope employ great vigilance IN
this particular, and We should not
be behind them In doing what
we legitimately and properly can do to
extend our maritime influence over the
world.
In concluding his report, Secretary
Thompson calls attention TO the special
relations between the navy and commerce
Of the country. "The subject" he says,
"has gained fresh Importance by the
constantly increasing supplies Of our sgri'
cultural and manufacturing products now
being sent by sea 10 all parts OF the world
To this immense commerce the navy is .
necessary ally, and must at all times be
prepared 10 iurnish It protection.
Il Ia impossible 10 do this
efIectually unless . sufficient num-
ber OF the right kind of vessels are con-
structed, not for cruisers merely, but Tor
ali purposes OF war when the emergency
sbail require 1t. The cruisers We now
have are constantly employed In various
seas, and II is gratifying to know thst our
hSg 10 90 much respected In all parts ot the
world that very few instances have oc
Cured where our merchant vessels have
been interiered with, but undoubtedly y
Ia time that whether the navy DO regarded
a protector OF our commerce or as m es
aential means Of defense, the number
Of vessels should be increased, and It i
equally true that o good policy require
. the National Government 70 employ oil ~
|, legitimate powers 10 increase thelstrengtt
| OF our mercantile marine, 90 that 1t ma.
i become commensurate with oil the want
and necessities Of our commerce. The In
. crease Of ono should be- iproport rtionate :
that OF the other. Our material wealth
In 0 large degree the product Of our com
meroe upon the ocean. AZ this 10 extend
cd, % will our wealth be Increased
and as at no time in the past has thl
wealth increased 80 rapidly as at pre-
emit now 10 most opportune hme for .
/ 70 sStead 10 It the necessary degree Of pr
4 lection. This 10 conceded on all hand
|. but about the best method Of doing It thei
|. arp differences Of opinion. It's not In u
!. province o! Congress to build vessels 4