Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-13
FOREIGNERS IN THE NAVY.
Naval Onicers Do Not Feel Alarmed
About Their Preponderance.

Prom the New 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 il 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 Boston's muster-roll shows pretty clearly
where the United States navy gets her seamen.
Out Of 200 men "a claim an American birth
place, but many Of the names indicate that the
bearers are Of Irish, German or Scandinavian
descent. OF the remaining 1876 men SO are Irish,
Is Germans, IL Swedes, II English, IL Japan
ese, Norwegians, 9 Canadians Gncluding all
British provinces in America). Danes, 6
Scotchmen 6 from the West Indies, 6 Firms, 2
Russians, and each from France. Italy, Bel
GUM, Greece, Austria, Wales, Australia, Ma
deira. and the East Indies.
The preponderance of foreign-born seamen
in the American navy was made the special
subject Of discussion in Admiral Porters an
nual report some time ago, and was then repre-
scented in the light of a menace to the nation.
Inquiry among officers at the hayward indi-
Gates that the admiraPs report caused much
less sensation in the service than among lands
men and civilians Hardly an officer could be
found to agree with the statement that the pre-
dominance of foreign-born sailors was men,
ace to the navy, and few seemed to think 1t a
by no means prepared to admit that two-thirds
of our seamen are foreigners, whatever their
birthplace or parentage. During the war Con-
gress passed a law making three years service
in the navy equivalent to naturalization. l
am not informed that that law has ever been
repealed. The ordinary term of enlistment is
still three years, and a majority of the men
re-enlist at the end of that time. would not
say the presence of these men is either men-
ace or a disadvantage"
Lieut.. Harry Knox. executive officer OF the
Boston and commanding officer during the alb
sence OF Capt. Ramsay, discussed this question
in an interesting manner. He said in sub
stance: THE foreign seamen are not menace,
but think the scarcity of American seamen is
disadvantage. A majority of the foreigners
come from Ireland, Germany, or the north
country-Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. They
are hardy, competent seamen, and do their
work well. The German and north country
seamen are especially valuable because of their
sobriety. Give ten men leave Of absence. five
being Germans and five Americans, Irish, Eng
lish, or Scotch, and the Germans will return
sober and ready for work, the remainder will
come back tipsy.
THE pay is better in the United States navy
than in that of any other country. and this
draws foreigners over. On the other hand,
Americans can generally make more money,
perhaps, in the merchant marine, and certainly
in almost any other bus ness. Than in the Ameri-
can navy. Consequently the average American
comes to the navy as last resort. In case Of
actual war think there would be no lack of
patriotism either in the navy or the merchant
marine, and that there would be little to fear
from lack of seamen."