Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-01

her navy as toy to be used for exhibition pur.
poses in connection with centenniais Of one
sort or another. She regards her navy as a
weapon Of ofense and defense. She has been
one Of the most progressive and advanced Of
all the European powers in the matter Of build
ing ships. 1t was Italy that first tried grea,
ll0-ton guns mounted on vessels that were
covered with an almost impregnable armor.
She also first tried a large number of rapid
firing guns on smaller vessels that we're easily
moved and handled.
Her navy is always kept in fighting trim and
ready to go anywhere at any time She does
not maintain system of foreign squadrons,
but her ships are kept in the Mediterranean,
cruising, exercising and practicing all sorts Of
NO ATTENTION PAID TO wAHNNos
Commenting upon the Recommendations
made by the Secretary Of the Navy in his last
report for coast defenses, naval officer of
high standing said that this same story had
been told In any number Of previous re-
ports, but no attention had ever been
paid to il until an emergency arose.
No vessel or squadron ever cares
to enter river or bay to attack a city, unless
success or free retreat is absolutely sure. In
the case OF New York, there are two outlets,
which from naval standpoint makes that city
one of the most open in the world to all attacks
by sea.
They say at the Navy Department that
1t is to be hoped that the present situa-
1t has no serious results, may bring
utter helplessness in times Of emer-
gency. Congress does not meet until De-
cember. and It may be that it will all be for
gotten by that time. One thing is
certain and that is that the present condition
OF affairs will be made the text for many n re-
port to come. It is all nonsense, they say, to
talk about building a navy when the need
arises. 1t takes five years to build a modern
battle ship and the shortest time on record is
four years.
America has not single battle ship ready
for battle. They are all on paper The Texas.
unless interferred with, is to be launched next
october. We have one torpedo boat. Italy
The statement has been made that the Ital-
ians would find considerable difficulty in get
ting their navy over to this country. but this idea
does not meet with general credence at the
Navy Department.
GEN. KELroN's VIEWS.
Gen. Kelton. the adjutant general of the Us
army. secuted the idea of war ensuing from yes
terday's events.
1t was hard to imagine any reason
Tor war, or any substantial result to ac-
crue to either party from it. Certainly
the United States would not send over to at
tack Italy and Italy could not land an army in
the United States. The distance between the
Two countries presented an almost unsur-
mountable obstacle. Even the Italian naval
vessels could not probable operate so far from a
base OF supply of fuel and stores. He did not
hesitate to say that New York city would be
safe in any event. Even though the projected
fortihcations were not yet in existence and the
modern guns were lacking he had faith in
the ability of our people to offer
an enectlve resistance to hostile
naval force. We were an in
ventive energetic race and could be depended
on to meet any emergency. hostile fleet
could not lie within twenty miles of New York.
There wonld be no lack of men forthcoming,
who, like, Cushing weuld be will
ing and ready to blow up with
their own torpedoes if they could have small
chance Of destroying the foe. As for the land
forces of the United States, the general was
confident that they could be depended on to
prevent any hostile army Or naval force
from setting foot on American soil