National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-28

particularly to the navy at the present
time that they are given below, In tho
hope that they may interest members Of
congress who have the matter under con-
sidoration:
Every one is satisfied that the navy should
be rebuilt, but partisan feeling runs so high
that fear no arguments will avail
l am astonlshed at the reckless statements
70 often made concerning the navy. Many OF
them are doubtless made from the want OF
proper Information, and much OF the false In
formation comes from persons who ought to
and do know better. There 10 one matter
about which no one seems well Informed; that
is the amount of money regularly appropri-
ated Tor the navy and what becomes OF
This amount whatever It is, Is for the main
tendnce Of the navy which includes pay Of off,
GERS and men, repairs OF ships, provisions,
clothing, coal, and support Of navy yards. II
has nothing to do with the Increase OF the navy
which should be gradual from year to year,
and special sum should be annually appro-
priated Tor that purpose.
PERSONS OPPOSED TO THE NAVY
dwell great deal on the fact that we have
.pent over 500, 900 upon the navy In the
last twenty years aud want to know where are
the ships that ought TO have been built2 They
might as well ask man who has spent $40, 900
year during the same period In the malnte-
nance OF his family. where the houses are that
he ought to have built.
eAN hAchtg hpDlOpilhAtu yearly II 70 6WDDOIt
a navy not to buiid one, and the department
cannot use 1t for the latter purpose. great
deal Is said about the money spent in the last
twenty years to maintain navy, but we don't
seem Tn 70 think anything OF what II cost 70
that is in the neighborhood of s640,OOO,010.
10 take another view of the case, while the
navy OF the United States has cost for its main
over $500, 600 900, that of Great Britain has cost
nearly " 900 0OO 900, that OF France 5000 600 0O0
the small but growing navy Of Germany $780,
100000, and so on In proportion with other
navies, added to which the. expenditures OF
the foreign navies is added an amount for
building ships-of-war which would make
some OF our statesmen stare IL called upon
10 be so liberal. For instance. Great Britain,
since 1866, has spent approximately $3.50 O0O, 900
Tor this purpose; France, about 800 00O, 900;
Russia, So, 900 900; Italy, S32 900 600; Germany
tiI,0OO,O0O; China, over SIS, 900, 900, and other
nations in proportion, while we have had APP
propriated by congress for building new ships
mot including the new cruisers and money for
rebuilding four monitors), only So, S32, Si3; In
1872 and In 1867 and succeeding years the navy
department turned $50, 900, 900 into the treasury
COMPARE THIS AMOUNT
with that expended by the smaller European
powers, and II will appear that our dlsburse-
ments for building ships have been nothing in
comparison with those OF other countries, while
our requirements have been equally os great
a loud cutlery has been made over the great
navy We had at the close of the war, and many
people wonder what has become of all the
ships.
II was simply an improvised navy gotten up
TO answer the purpose of the moment and en-
able us to comply with the requirements of
foreign nations viz, to keep up strict block
ade OF the southern ports.
Most of the vessels were taken from the mer-
chant marine, some were ferry boats some
were built OF unseasoned timber and soon went
70 decay. greater part of these vessels were
SOLD as unsuitable for any other service than
that In which they had been lately employed.
Others were rebuilt over and over until they
We're nike an old cask with scarcely an original
vessels They could do no good service and
cumoered the navy yards, at the same time
making 1t appear on the register that we had
navy when such was not the case.
Al the cutlery regarding these vessels was
without foundation. They were fit only for
the scrap heap, and the proceeds Of their sale
was covered into their treasury,
NOT BRNEFITING THE NAVY AT ALL,
IL cannot be expected that ships will last
forever, and we cannot hope to be an excep-
ton to the law which applies to all other ma
Just think what the European powers had to
submit TO when events In this country demon.
strated that wooden ships for war purposes
were no longer reliable Great Britain and
france, with their magnificent nayies In
Guiding steam three-deckers OF hundred
guns, did not hesitate when the time came for
a change to consign all their old-fashioned
vessels TO the scrap heap.
British statesmen knew that their country
could not maintain her power without strong
navy, and no nation can hope to hold her own
unless she Is willing TO spend money for the
defense of her coasts.
We are the only nation that seems IN look
with apathy on our defenseless condition, pre-.
Stunning probably on our great resources and
tne TACT mat the nations of Europe depend on
us LOT many Of the necessaries Of life. France
and Great Britain set the example of buiidin
armored ships. and all Europe quickly foi,
lowed their example, without a sigh at losing
those great floating castles once the pri de OF
maritime powers.
Twill instance the case of Germany to show
you how nation that is so disposed can be.
come naval power, and II indicates what we
might have accomplished had we pursued a
similar policy, In 1895 Germany was
NOT Considered A NAVAL POWER,
her annual appropriation for the support of
she navy amounting to less than $500, 900.
since that time she has spent on the main.
tenapce OF her navy sI72OOOOO0 The first
thing they did was to establish two navy
yards--one at Wilhelm Haven the other at
hiel-costing some 10000: In 1878 the
Germans possessed only the following vessels,
VIZ; Three ironclad frigates, two small iron.
clads, ten cruising corvettes two dispatch YES.
sells, SIX large gunboats ten small gunboats,
one gunneiy ship, three school brigs, and
of but si2 500 900 Even this was a far better
navy than we have at present. but since that
time the government has appreciated tile ne.
cessity OF an increase, and In 1888 the German
navy consisted of the following vessels, viz
-Four ironclad trigates, four ironclad turret
ships, one ironclad corvette, one small iron.
clad, eleven ironclad gunboats, twelve spar.
deck coryettes, ten light coryettes, Ave gun
vessels, hve large gunboats, ten dispatch YES.
sells, one gunnery ship, four school ships, eight
large torpedo boats, and three small torpedo
boats,
THE COST OF BUILDING NEW SHIPS
0O0,0OO. WV WV
Germany has moi, like u.s. an extensive coast
to protect, and could perhaps get along with
out any navy at ALL She has about tie same
number OF ehectlVe vessels that we ought TO
nave AZ TINS moment, aud we should have an
annual increase OF 3O,OOO tons until we reached
the maximum OF $50, l0J tons of iron war vessels
OF al classes. We should then be able to hold
simply respectable position before the world
have been nm officer OF the navy for thirty.
Ive years, ana nave never known the ser.
vice 10 be ~ 50 inefficient condition as re.
CARDS It's ships as II is ut present. Not one of
our vessels OF the old type il able To contend
with small modern gunboat, much less with
u vessel ~ her own normal class.
IN case OF war the American people would
naturally expect their ships to conquer, but
they must provide u different class oil vessels
nom what we now have Il they wish the oil.
GERS OF tue navy 10 ensure thelI success.
, NO American eau feel proper pride In his
nag when he secs il floating a Inc peak Of one
OF our antiquated vessels Of war, which Is per.
haps surrounded by dozen foreign ironulads,
any one OF which would lay our coast undur
Senator Hale, IN his able and exhaustive
speeoh before tina senate, made the actual
cOhulllon OF our navy sufficiently plaiu to ali
VINO couid desire information on the subject.
THE BEST EXPERT IN THE NAVY
could not have treated the theme In n mora
manner
l recommend the senator's remarks to all
those Interested in naval affairs, as / am s,,Te
they who read them will DO well repaid for SO
doing. ~
l do not understand why there should he
any partisan feeling on the question of i'm.
proving our navy. The officers are devoted IN
the country and its flag, and know OF none
who would lend himselfto helping either poiiti.
cal party by a misapplication of public money.
In the matter Of the proposed steel cruisers
congress has thrown sufficient guards around
their construction to satisfy the most exacting
persons. An advisory board has been estab,
lished which has entire control of the build
ing of the vessels, The head of this board Is
an officer OF well known ability and integrity.
and the secretary of the navy has shown his
desire 10 assist the bgard in every WAY and