The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-23
FOREIGNERS IN THE NAVY.
Naval Officers Do Not Feel Alarmed
About Their Preponderance.

About Their Preponderance.
Fron.the Nel0 York Times.
Inspection OF the pay rolls Of the cruiser
Boston shows that about two-thirds of the
crew are foreign born. Statistics are not
readily available. but it is safe to say that
very nearly two thirds of the enlisted men
both in the navy and in the marine corps
were born abroad. The Bostons muster.
roll shows pretty clearly where the United
States navy gets her seamen. Out of 20e
men IS claim an American birthplace,
but many of the names indicate that the
bearers are of Irish, German or Scandinavian
descent. OF the remaining 1876 men 81
are Irish, - Germans, ~ Swedes, n Eng
lish, 81 Japanese, 9 Norwegians, Q Cana
dams Including all British provinces in
America: Dane. 8 Scotchmen, 6 from
the West Indies, 6 Films, 2 Russians, and
each from France. Italy, Belgium, Greece
Austria, Wales, Australia, Madeira and the
East Indies.
The preponderance Of foreign-born sea
men in the American navy was made the
special subject of discussion in Admiral
Porter's annual report some time ago, and
was then represented in the light Of a men.
ace to the nation. Inquiry among officers
at the navy-yard indicates that the ADM
service than among landsmen aud civilians
| Hardly an officer could be found TO agree
with the statement that the predominant,
| of foreign-born sailors was a menace to th(
navy. aud few seemed to think it a disad
vantage. Said Admiral Gherardi: 81 an
| by no means prepared to admit that two
thirds of our seamen are foreigners, what
| ever their birthplace OF parentage During
| the war congress passed a law making three
years service in the navy equivalent h
naturalization. / am not informed tina
that law mas ever been repealed. The ordi
nary term Of enlistment is still three years
and ma iority of the men re-enlist at the
| end of that time. | would not say the
presence of these men is either menace Of
| a disadvantage.
Lieut.. Harry Knox, executive officer Of
| the Boston ami commanding officer during
the absence of Capt. Ramsey, discussed thi
| question in an interesting manner. HI
| said in substance: Tie foreign seameT
are no. a menace but / think the scarcity
| Of American seamen is a disadvantage. A
majority of the foreigners come from Ire
land, Germany, or the north country
! Sweden, NORWAY and Denmark. Theyar'
! hardy, competent seamen, and do theiI
work well. The German and north country
seamen are especially valuable because o.
their sobriety. Give ten men leave of alb
| scene i've being Germans ana I'VE Ameri
cans, Irish, English, or Scotch, and thu
! Germans will return sober ard ready fol
work, the remainder will come back tiIsy
The pay is better in tue United State
navy than In that Of any other country
and this draws foreigners over. On tn
| otter hand, Americans can generally max,
| more money, per b pS, in the merchant ma
rine, and certainly in all NEST any othe
business, than In tie American navy. Con
! seaueDtly the average American comes q
the navy as a last resort. In case Of actua
war think there would be no lack OF pa
triotism either in the navy or the merchan
marine, and that there would be little 4
fear from Jack Of seamen."