New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-02
crCpET1EY TRICr'S REPORT.

cocretarv TracyS report on the condition Oh
Ala navy is admirable from every point OF
o, 4. \ review OF the years experiments
~ .b,pbnildng and SUMMARIZING and OF the gen
~ c,udurt ot the service, 1t Is luminous ana
;tructiva As forecast of changes when
',ro ,ooIired i'm the administration Of the De-
na,tment and in the naval policy of the Gov
n,rmout il is keen. SagaciouS and practical.
The report diScloScS the Secretary compete
mastery of the complex details OF ono OF the
most important branches OF the Admnistia-
tion. lie has not like many OF his predecessors
hccn content with q sm1ttcrng OF knowledge
of the vor[, of the chief bureaus. He has per-
sonalv Investigated every technical question
~ construction. armament and administration,
and every recommendation which he makes
reveals thorough familiarity with the SUBJECT
II is emphaiically one OF the best reports ever
issued from the Department.
One of the most important recommendations
Of the report relates to the number OF battle
shin, required for the defence OF the coast.
1 wear ago the Secretary asked for twenty yes
soils of this class and now he considers twelve
,uHicient The modified estimate is not a
proof of inconsistency or premature judgment,
htlt rainier Ol luc IutItiNNu 'iiAiNbN' w wv
Department in designing formidable vessels
of war. Twelve are now favored because with
improvement i'll type and design and with IN
creased efficiency for offensive and defensive
warfare they will be equal to the twenty orig
inally asked for. This is an announcement
which will be received with great satisfaction
by Americans. While the policy OF develop
inc the Nations naval resources has been a
popular one, there has been general feeling OF
apprehension that the processes OF building
new fleet would be indefinitely prolonged ana
w;uld involve unccaSing expenditures on "A
large scale. With the SccrctaryS confident
ASSERTION that only twelve hattlc-Ships III all
will be needed in order to place the coasts II
On adequate state of defence, the desired end
seems to be already in sight.
Secretary Tracy sums up the whole case for
increased naval ornaments in his brilliant
passage describing the dctcncelcSS condition
Of the harbor of Ncw-York. He significantly
say, that there is no other instance III the
world OF so much wealth in so exposed a con-
dlton The fact that Baltimore. Philadelphia,
Ncw-Y0rk, Boston. New Orleans and -an / ran
cisco may he readily approached and captured
hy 4 European fleet is a standing menace 10
the security of the Nation. Let these great
cities be rendered capable Of defence. and no
European nation will be tempted 10 declare war
upon the Cntcd states The best guarantee
Of peace. as the Secretary remarks IS Judi
ciou, expenditure for the Navy. by which these
centre, of wealth can be made dcIcnSibe. That
/, the only purpose for which the Rect can
properly be strengthened, since no war of
conquest can over be sanctioned by American
opinion. At the present rate OF progress II
will not be long before there viii Doe battle
ships, heavy guns for shore batteries, and
torpedo appliances requisite for protecting the
coast cities. The industrial processes OF man
uiacturing high-powcr guns and Ship-arm0r
have been greatly chcapcncd IN cost during
tho last wear. This l. an important adyan-
tagc; but what Is better still j, the marked
superiority of the types Of vessels designed
and Of the quality Of their armor plate Twelve
aS good aS twenty j., an equation in which
American ingenuity. practical talent and per-
lection ot organization are prominent factors.