New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-02
NOT A NAVAL POWER YET
SECRETARY TRACY URGES THE NEED OF A
NAVY WORTHY OF THE COUNTRY.
COAST LINE WHOLLY UNPRoTECTED-THE
NEW CRUISERS BUT A BEGINNING IN
THE ARMAMENT NECESSARY FOR
DEFENCE.

DEFENCE.
Washington, Dec. 1.-The Secretary of the Navy has
made his first annual report TO the President of tho
administration of his Department. BY comparison
with the great countries of the world secretary Tracy
shows at once that the United States. with its six
armored vessels and thrty-one unarmored vessels,
cannot take rank naval power. On the subject
Of the defence of the country the report says
A coast line OF 1900 miles upon which situated
more than twenty great centres Of population wealth. and
commercial ACTIVITY wholly unprotected against modern
weapons affords inviting object of attack The de-
fence OF the United absolutely requires the creation
OF fighting force SO far the increase has been mainly
in the direction Of unarmored cruisers These vessels do
not constitute a lighting force. To meet the attack OF
ironclads ironcads indispensable. We must have
arnored bae-shps. We must have the force to raiso
blockades which almost disastrous to commercial
cities as bombardment We must have fleet OF battles
ships will beat off the enemys fleet on It's approach
for II be tolerated that the United States Is 10
submit TO attack upon the threshold Of its harbors.
Finally be able 10 divert an enemys force from
our coast by threatening his for war; though dc!
fensve in principle, may be conducted most eaecuvey
by being offensive In its operations.
II the country is 10 have navy at ALL it should have
one that sufficient complete and ample protection
OF its in time of II we are 70 stop short
this might better stop where and abandon all
claim to influence and control the sea- The country
needs navy that will exempt It from but the only
navy that will accomplish this is navy that can wage
The present question nothing to do with policy Of
military aggrandizemen It is practical business ques-
ton OF nsurng our property and trade The naval
force before the when the population numoered
thirty Millions included ninety vessels of all classes
Before completion of the present programme which
will give total Of half that number the popu
laon will have more doubled and the wealth
subject Injury destruction will have increased
tenfoh The annual Increase Of wealth in this country
is estimated equal that Of England France and Ger
many and before create effective navy its popula-
ton exceed that OF any two Of these Powers
combined. Such Nation be Indifferent events
taking place close proximity TO It's coasts threat
ening the Of and the security OF its
seaport cities The questions that have arisen and that
will continue 10 arise In the Gulf OF Mexico and ths
Pacific the prosperity and development OF the
Unred States closely be further ignored and out
interests in these localities important be let
longer unprotected.
The cost Of building navy casts perceptibe burden
upon country OF II is the premium
paid by the United States for the acquired
wealth and its growing industries IL is cheap price to
pay safety II is sometimes asserted need
be haste about building ships upon the supposition
that strength is sufficient mproyise force
in time Of war This Us fatal mistake. Naval wars
in the future will be short and sharp IL morally certain
that they will be fought out 10 the end with the focS
available at the beginning.
The construction Of war ships takes long time *
Congress ready to-day authorize the eonstFueuo
OF all the ships that need It would be m meehsne
.ssiw
to furnish them within fifteen years while INC His s
months OF hostties would not ony -. ht 49,
cities forced to submit to heavy con'no. sos,,oxnt
shipyard in the country. public v' nsa,,ns nayv
and thus the last hope eNtinsuis"'
70 meet the emergency OF ""f a, s.-o,., 20 ,ba nam
O. Ln,ar ~ the report IS dcvoted 10 the ne"
cruisers. OF which Secretary ir~', -. .,S,..
cruisers, i n,sers are eight in number the Chicago
The new cru and Dolphin. contracted for In 1888.
Boston, A. ,.ore Charleston. Yorktown and Petrol.
~,rsetea ana for in 1886 and 1887 The building 0i the
nrse -, mis- country but they have fully sustained
,ss hIoh reputation of American mechanics. In 1852
.n hut eight war vessels In existence Of less than
=, zoo 49,. .hIeh were capable OF making 10 knots Our
earliest cruisers developed mean speed OF between
* "a IA knots-the Chicago 1888; the Atlanta. 1884
.s po.,on 1888. Their high efficiency longer
no called in question. The record OF the Dolphin which
ves began with speed Of 1911 knots on her eonracs
and which recently returned from cruise around
the world is satisfactory In her cruise the DOL
Min has run $4,000 miles In twenty months. and has
been under steam 1000 hours In this prolonged run
hc has stopped repairs but and then for only
.wo hovrs This performance il probably without par,