New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-26
TIE NAVAL MANOEUTRES.

| The manoeuvres of the Squadron OF Evolu-
| ton in New-YorlS waters have served the use
ful purpose Of stimulating public interest IN
the new navy. The feet has been anchored
where it could be seen to excellent advantage,
and the drilling of the naval reserve battallonS
has been witnessed by thousands of spectators.
The evolutons of the squadron have been one
of the best town shows of the year and have
greatly interested the public. The experiment
of having an organized body of naval militia,
subjected to the routine of discipline on shore
throughout the year and trained in the summer
in actual service at sea has been tried with slg-
nal success The boat, gun and search-1ght drl-
ing of the last week and the cruise 10 FISHER
Island which has followed it have demonstrated
at once the practicabiity of forming an efficient
naval militia in all the chief ports, and the
popularity of the system These are important
results which are worth all the effort and money
expended in their accomplishment. Admiral
Walker has a marked talent for organizing DIS
plays of this kind, and is entitled to full credit
for arranging naval demonstration OF real
practical utility which has attracted the atten-
ton of the Nation
Happily. the day has passed when continuous
effort is REQUIRED for the maintenance of
progressive naval policy. The country has ex-
pressed its approval of the new navy by so many
unmistakable signs that no political party or
faction can afford any longer to oppose meas
ures for increasing it's efficiency and improving
the service The TRIBUNE has been one OF the
pioneers in the movement for providing the
country with a well-equipped modern fleet ana
for increasing the naval and coast de1ences.
II has advocated this policy in season and out
of season. and cannot be accused of any lack OF
interest in the subject. It's consistency cannot
be challenged when it calls in question the
utility and necessity of keeping so large squad
ron in active service in homo waters Tor the
purpose of drilling the naval reserves and ac-
cnstoming officers and men to feet manoeuvreS
on large scale. In our judgment the naval
drills can be rendered sufficiently effective with
out the presence and cooperation OF so large a
SQUADRON as has been under Admiral Walkers
orders in New-Yorl1 waters. 1t may have been
worth while to make the display this season in
order to impart an impulse to the movement
for creating naval militia and also to strength
en- public interest in the progressive policy OF
the Department; but certainly it will be u1-
necessary to repeat so elaborate programme
aeother season.
The new ships are urgently needed in foreign
service. In the South Atlantic in the Mediter-
ranean, in the West Indies, in CHILEAN waters
and at the Asiatic station there ought to be
representative ships of the new class When
the Nation is disgraced by the presence OF
antiquated hulks in foreign service, we consider
it mistake to concentrate so large naval force
in the Squadron of Evolution operating in home
waters We think it would be a wiser plar
either to dsband the squadron altogether or tC
reduce it to two or three ships which would
suffice for summer cruising at Newport and Ba'
Harbor and for naval drills at Atlantic ports
The new ships are needed abroad in order t
re-estabIish the naval reputation of the Natior
and to protect American interests. 1t is NOR
important to restore prestige abroad than it j
to stimulate public interest at home in nava
manoeuvres. The new navy has cost erea
many millions, and it is intended for actua
use in foreign service rather than for tow
shows on the coast.