The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-11


the title to State office. We regard the
matter as 80 important that we print the
opinion in full In another part Of this paper.
and we advise every citizen to read 1t. or
course. we rejoice at the success Of the
rightfully elected Governor Of Nebraska.
but his triumph is dearly gained at sacri-
flee OF principle and departure from prec-
edent which imperil the independence of ev-
cry State in tho Union for all time to come.
An English Critic on Our New Navy.
The most striking tribute to modern
American shipbuilding which has recently
come from British sources is that Of Capt.
s. EARDLEY WuMoT. in his treatise on
THE Development of Navies." 1t possesses
an interest for our country as showing what
is thought by foreign expert Of the prog
ress effected in naval construction here
within less than ten years: but its greatest
Importance. no doubt. must be in giving
to the critics own countrymen some idea of
what is going on in America.
Beginning with the first series Of cruis-
ers. undertaken in 1888. his criticism on the
Chicago is that "a lighter and more homo
geneous armament would have been bet
ter" since her main battery carries four g.
inch. eight 6-inch. and two 5-inch guns; but
he adds that she sis undeniably very pow
erful vessel" Considering that she and
her three companions. the Atlanta. the
Boston. and the Dolphin. were the first
modern cruisers ever undertaken in this
country he regards the success which they
have achieved as highly creditable to all
concerned"
To the next five cruisers. tho Charleston.
Baltimore, Philadelphia. San Francisco. and
Newark. he comedies maximum speed
varying from eighteen to twenty knots.
and the Baltimore's cruise from Copenhagen
to Lisbon In a little over five days is
described as IAN excellent performance.
averaging seventeen knots" AS to Cruiser
No. 12. known pending her official christcp-
ing as the Pirate. which is meant for
speed OF twenty-five knots, he says that
1.-THE design appears to me well conceived
for the object in view." that Of attacking
the commerce Of an enemy. The limitation
OF the armament to the medium and smaller
calibres is specially praised: but he leaves
to the actual test the question Of her speed.
remarking that in smaller vessels third
propeller. such as is supplied to No. IL. is
not found to give additional power.
Among our armorclads his chief criticism
Is directed against the Texas. which. as is
we'll known. and as he mentions, was de-
signed in England. TOO much is aimed
at" says this authority. 1.-THE freeboard
forward should be higher. and lighter gurs
mounted. In our service the preference is
given to turrets on the centre line. The
position en- tchelon does not give the advan-
tages it was at first thought to have"
Praise. however, Is. awarded freely to the
Indiana. Massachusetts,. and Oregon.
whose classification as coast-line battle
ships" he presumes to have been made
in order ito calm any suspicion that
the country was about to embark on an
active foreign policy" His chief criticism
upon them is as with the Chicago. against
having three calibres in the main battery.
on account Of complicating the ammunition
and demanding great space for it's stow
age. But "in all other respects the design
seems excellent. and In keeping within
1O.50O tons the temptation to build monster
vessels has been avoided" Some Of the
views OF Secretary TRACY on these ships are
regarded as admirably put. The armored
cruiser New York will be able to engage
with many foreign battle ships. "such as
the Warspite in our own and the Admiral
Nachimoff in the Russian navy"
AS to guns. warm praise is given to the
rapid creation Of splendid plant and ma
chinery for construction, aud the produce
ton Of the forgings required. Under the
initiation Of most able Bureau of Ord
nance all this has sprung up. and guns are
now constructed equal in power to any
produced in Europe" And perhaps here
we may properly quote what Capt. card
LEY WILMOT has to say OF tho national
energy which has created powerful fleet
within ten years:
"a few years ago her navy consisted Of number of
obsolete monitors and wooden cruisers equally
Such . condition was humiliating and might be dan.
gerous. seeing that insignificant neighborinq States
In the possession Of modern ironcads and swift
powerful cruisers. No nation with long frontier
and important interests abroad be without
means OF protecting BOTH and for this adequate
naval force Is essential For the United States this
dangerous condition longer exists Stirring appeals
by successive Secretaries OF tho Navy have at last
reused the nation to action. With marvellous energy.
of which example afforded in the last civil war
America has developed during the last few years every
thing necessary tho construction and equipment Of
modern heet"
Even In torpedoes he thinks that an
American device. the Howell. may be 80 i'm
proved as eventually to take the place in
our own country Of the Whitehead. Al
though the latter is the faster and keeps its
speed uniform throughout the run. he finds
very attractive simplicity about the
Howell. and praises its ability to travel in
the line OF projection when launched from
the deck OF swiftly moving vessel. At
present both systems are actually adopted
In our navy. As to the pneumatic gun of
the vesuvius. he thinks 1t too uncertain for
use against q moving vessel. but capable of
great destruction against an object whose
position does not change. The praise
awarded In general to our country for rely
ing on Its own resources in building Its
ships and guns Is very hearty:
which their country had not hitherto from want
Of demand produced. The latest ordnance. the best