The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-16
FOOLISH TALK CORRECTED.
Very Good Reasons Why Our Naval Of
ficers Do Not Desire War in Europe.
Mr.. Bayard and Minister Williams-lIow the
Secretary Has Treated Prominent Col
ored Man-Mr. Yilas's SIobbishness
WAR NOT DESIRABLE.
Why the Officers of the Navy Are Not Anxious
for European War.

why the Officers of the Navy Are Not Anxious
for a European War.
Especial to the indianapolis Journal.
! WAsHISGToN, April 15.-"There has been
published great deal of foolish nonsense lately
about the anxiety of naval officers for Euro
pean war" said an experienced naval officer
to-day. cit is asserted that the whole line and
staff look upon the preparations for hostilities
fbetween England and Russia with the utmost
pleasure. This is explained by the statement
that we expect to be employed in protecting
United States interests in case of open warfare.
Il speak with absolute knowledge when / say
that there are not dozen veterans in the navy
who desire anything of the kind. The reason is
plain. We have not single vessel afoat that
lis fit for service. There is not cruiser in our
navy that has an inch of armor upon her. We
have not sloop in commission, not a corvette.
not gun boat that could keep on top Of the
water half an hour after she was attacked by
any one of the fast-sailing wel-armored, long
range fighting ships sailing under the nag of
Russia Germany, France, England, or Italy
In fact, there is not in the American navy to day
a single vessel that it would be safe to risk ones
life upon in case of bostilities.n
''But the argument of the economist in Con-
gress is that we could readily buy or build the
necessary vessels. Could not one or the other
be done?"
1--WE could build, Of course, but it would take
time, and great deal of it, too We have not
the plant in this country for extensive ship
building, and even if we had Congress would
first have to appropriate the money. That
= would take year, at least. Besides a man-o
war cannot be built in day, or even month.
AS for buying, that is out Of the question. The
nations that have ships to sell in times of peace
need them all when war breaks out. A war be-
tween Russia and England will involve every
other country in Europe. and Americans will
not fnd war-ships for sale there after the first
gun is fred"
but are there not great many vessels in
this country that can be pressed into service in
case of needYr
NO. decidedly no! We have no merchant ma
rins worth the name and even such vessels as
we have are being rapidly bought up by France
and Russia We might bny few Insignificant
wooden vessels that would serve as transports or
supply ships, but can see way in which the
fighting navy could be benefited. We could not
arm ships if we had them, for, owing to the mig
gardly policy Of Randall, Townshend, Holman
and others of their ilk, we have not to-day sin
gle gun to cope with any of the long range weap-
ons which form the armament of all the first
class navies. No. Wheat may advance few
cents a bushel in anticipation of war, but the
disadvantages that would ensue would far out
weigh airy such slight benefits to the American
farmer. In any event, naval officers are not
anxious for gore at least not till they have decks
to fight on and guns to fight with"