Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-26


Lima) to keep organized and armed. -
While the demand is thus pressing for an
adequate force TO command respect on the
Peruvian coast, there is call for ships Of
war to protect American interests in Cai-
nese waters. The elimination of trouble
in China is sure to involve Americans,
since we are assured that all foreigners are
classed together as devils from across the
sea, and fit only to be driven out, while
their property will be considered fair
prey for the mob. Admiral Amy informs
the Herald that in his opinion our force in
Oriental waters is ridiculously small, and
wholly inadequate TO protect American in
terests in case of trouble. Our ships there
are not of the first class. and are not equal
to the protection OF American commerce.
He believes that we should have not less
than ten swift corvettes in commission
there. When he was in charge of the Pa
c;fic squadron he had six ships in China
waters and had all he could attend to with
| that force. Including the Coast Survey
and Fishery Commission men, says this
aged officer, the United States has in the
navy 5000 men, when she needs Is, 600.
When the details referred to are taken out,
the actual fighting men of the American
navy are very few in number It is all
but useless to debate the question with the
average Congressman, who asks "What is
the need of navy in time of peRce?" As
the Admiral replies, the need cannot be
known until the occasion arises, when it is
too late to put ships into commission. He
recalled, in conclusion, the Panama revo-
luton, when, with 30 blue-j Jackets, he
took charge of the Panama Railroad and
protected American interests and property
valued at many millions of dollars and
of the Tampico revolution, wheR a
single American naval vessel, by be.
ing in the right place, released the
Imprisoned American ships at the mouth
of the river. Commodore Upshur is cred
tied with the statement that all cur avail
able ships of war should be concentrated
in far Eastern waters along the China
coast he would send all but the Aagships
OF the entire South and North Atlantic
squsdrons TO Chinese waters at once, and
some of the South Pacific squadron also.
There is very much of suggestion in the
expression of this officer that we should be
too proud to force our oountrymen abroad
to appeal to the British flag for the protec.
tion our own cannot afford them. Even
if our ships are not formidable the flag is
great protection, the vessels afford a
place of retreat, and are of use as store
houses for American treasure when it is
threatened. In short, all the testimony
supports the demand for better distribu-
ton of such naval forces as we have, and
the increase of the entire navy. In naval
matters we are behind the age, and to the
rear of many of the most insignificant
maritime powers of the earth. The coun-
try would be better pleased if our spare
direction instead of rendezvousing under
Rear.Admiral Cooper at New York for IN
excursion up the Hudson, to participate
in the centennial fetes at Newburg. While
FIVE ships thus steam up the Hudson on
a holiday trip, we have but seven
in Asiatic waters to protect American COM
merce in nine important ports, where it is
likely to be, if not already, in great dan.
ger. As Admiral Shufeldt puts it, "if an
outbreak such as is threatened occurs,
nothing can save our people from the Chi.
nese mob except the presence of men, OF
war anchored in the stream immediately
opposite the foreign residences. Cur navy
should there be an ark of refuge for those
fleeing from s possible mob of fanasical
heathens." This officer believes that We
need more ships not only in Chinese and
Peruvian waters, but that there is prob
able need for them on the Cuban coast,
where revolution is not improbab ole. !
On the heels of this comes the news that
there is need of an American man. Of war
at Honolulu. The acting Secretary of the
Navy is open in his expression as to the
necessity of concentrating all the force
possible to be utilized on the Pacific and in
Asistic waters at this time. BE says "a
year ago ! urged upon the attention Of
Secretary Chandler the Importance of in:
creasing our naval force in Asiatic waters. !
told him that while it was the most re-
mote, the iurtnest station to reinforce in
the event Of trouble, it was more import
ant that there should constantly be- there
naval force large enough to command the
respect Of the natives" Secretary
Chandler, however, takes very philo.
sophical view of the matter, saying that
the danger in the East is not imminent =
that il our force there is not now formid-
able enough for any emergency, the add.
tion OF few more ships viii not increase
its efficiency. To suah logic as this there
is no reply. It compares with that of the ,
Arkansas philosopher regarding the repairs
to bis roof. But in view of the fact that !
he has all the seas of the world as a field
to care for, and the limited number of
ships at his command for the task, and the :
unimportant character of them and their
equipment to consider, tine Secretary is not !
properly subject to criticism for this curt
remark, which may be taken as indicating ,
his conviction regarding the needs OF the !,
American Navy.
TIE HoMEsFEADs SECURED IN TWEHT7
YEARS.
A Chicago paper recalls to memory the
fact that in 1860 the Republican party,
then having no DnUar ho uerforr,, rroroised I