Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-26
ABUSES In THE NAVY.
The Bureau System Charged With
Responsibility for Them.
CAUSES LEADING TO DESERTI0N.
Remedies suggested to Meet the Evil That
Grows Worse Day by Day.
THE DECENTRALIZATION IN THE SERVICE

of the public is occasionally directed
through the newspapers to the absence o.
American seamen in the naval service o
the United States, to the large number o.
desertions that are constantly taking place
from national vessels, this evil extending
even TO apprentices on the training ships
and to the lamentable fact that returning
from foreign cruise our naval vessels are
manned by heterogeneous crews, picked ur
through sheer necessity, embracing many
nationalities, of whom a considerable mum
ber have no acquaintance with the English
language
A few wears ago the desertions from the
army were so numerous that the War De.
partment was compelled to institute in
quiries into the causes of the evil,
and this inquiry resulted in radical
changes being made in the direction of pro-
noting the comfort and well being of the
enlisted men, resulting in turn in checking
desertions and materially raising the morals
OF the army. The Navy Department, how
ever, has manifested no special interest in
the generalization prevalent in that branch
of the military service, and has done little,
if ANYTHING, to correct the desertions con-
santly going on. That there are causes
which produce and are responsible for this
existence and character are known to the
responsible officers of the navy is unques-
tionable. and 1t is q matter of surprise to
those not acquainted with the methods and
organization OF the navy, and the influences
which direct them, that nothing is being
done to make the naval service inviting to
American seamen and encouraging to the
youth of the country, whose feelings and
ambition would otherwise naturally lead
70 l,a mi of tho N WV
\ Naval Officers Ideas.
| recently had a conference with an officer
OF the navy, who had given this general
subject some thought, and learned from him
facts that are worthy the early attention
OF the men who direct our naval affairs,
whether executive or legislative, and which
will enable the public to partially under
stand hv it is that American seamen can
not be secured and retained for the Ameri-
can navy The officer in question is not
'Coburger." He has sailed in many ships
and on almost every sea, has had large e1-
perience with men, although he left the
Naval Academy since the close of the Re-
bellion. The conference was by appoint
ment. with a view of securing a statement
OF facts in connection with the general ad-
ministration of the navy, publication of
which would arres: public attention, and,
perhaps elicit discussion which in time
start an inquiry into the cause for the de-
sertions from our national ships that are
constantly going on. The statement of the
officer was written out from stenographic
notes and revised by him. He said:
The prevalence of foreigners on board of
American men-of-war, especially in those
vessels returning from abroad, together
y ith manifested discomfort among the en-
listed men OF the navy and frequent deser-
or signs of sprious defeots
the existing methods of organization, i'm
perfect enlistment laws or faulty interpre-
tation OF the details governing the best
interests of the navy. The number of en-
listed men allowed by law for the navy is
small, and from the various sources of en-
listmeut it should be an easy matter to fill
the complement with a superior class of
Americans, but when once on board ship it
is difficult to retain them in the service
longer than one or two enlistments-in
tact, it is ore continuous, never-endihg
struggle to make good the waste that is
going on.
Evils of the Bureau system.
The causes which led to this condition of
affairs are many, but are easily traced In
the first place, under the Bureau system of
the Navy Department there is no settled
rolicy nor military head, without which an
efficient military organization cannot exist
the others, is permitted to issue orders that
frequently conflict with instructions ema-
mating from other sources, and the senior
laval officer is relegated to position which
destroys his usefulness or provokes invid-
ious remar ks from his juniors. Taking its
root in the Navy Department, this defective
system bra inches out to the naval stations,
squadrons afoat, and to all vessels in COM
mission, forming innumerable cliuues,
busily engaged with problems calculated to
further promote personal advantages at the
sacrifice of a proper regard for the CON-
fort and the advancement of the enlisted
men.
The more formidable of these cliques are
composed of officers who have had little ex-
Herience in the command of men, but who
are shining lights in some mutual admira-
ton society, and who seek duty at pleasant
shore stations, or devote their official time
TO the study and compilation of naval mat
tiers, written by theorists of Europe, for the
dissemination of knowledge among the So
called working officers of the navv These
seli-constituted disciplinarians seem to for
get that information so derived is more in
conformity with foreign than American in
stitutions, and that in the monarchical
couttries OF Europe caste and CONSUMPTION
are recognized conditions not within the
range of practical politics in this country.
Notable Incidents and IIus,rations
A practical illustration of the application
of this false teaching by one of the mem
hers Of the most powerful cliques, and one
that had the greatest pull, was in the in
human treatment of the crew of the Enter
prise bv Commander McCaila, an incident
hlch has lett stigma and reproach upon
the navy which the clemency of the Presi-
dent, in relieving Commander McCalla from
tie sentence of an indulgent court martial,
caunot ameliOrate. Nor will the example
set by the two Admirals in command of
their respective squadrons coming within |
the limits of the same harbor last wear,
and the sailing of another Admiral, |
in command of an important SQUAD |
ron, with his flagship to a |
port beyond telegraphic communication |
for the purpose of dodging the Navy De-
partment wnen striving to reach him for |
duty OF the most urgent nature, have a |
beneficial effect upon the discipline of the |
service. IL fact, under the example set by |
the department, admirals in the command |
OF squadrons or naval stations become mere |
figure heads, and if called up they have only |
q short time left to serve with the privilege |
of retiring at their own request They don't |
feel the responsibility when they have to
rely upon reports to ascertain where the
vessels under their command are sailing to.
or in what harbor they are to anchor In |
consequence it is the rule, and not the ex-
ccption, to find the higher officers of the
navy seeking their personal comfort and
delegating their authority to irresponsible
subordinates.
Punishment for Attempting Reforms.