Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-07

be used for naval purposes. Inc COM
netting American Pacific Mail company,
under the act OF March 8, 1891, re-
ceives only $6389 per round trip.
Efforts have been made within the
last year, as l am informed, to establish
under similar conditions line between
Vancouver and some Australian port,
with view of seizing there q trade in
which we have had a large interest.
The commission of navigation states
that very large per cent of our imports
from Asia are now brought to us by
English steamships, and their connect
ing railways in Canada. With view
of promoting this trade, especially in
tea, Canada has imposed discriminat-
ing duty of 10 per cent on tea and coffee
brought into the dominion from the
United States. If this unequal contest
between American lines, without sub.
sidy, or with diminished subsidies, and
the English Canadian line to which l
have referred, is to continue, l think we
should at least see that the facilities OF
custom entry and transportation across
our territory are not such as to make
the Canadian route favored one and
that the discrimination as to duties. to
which / have referred, is met by like
discrimination as to the Importation of
these articles from Canada.
No subject, l think, more nearly
touches the power and the prosperity
of our country than this OF the develop
ment of our merchant marine upon the
sea. If we could enter into conference
with other competition, and all would
agree to withhold government aid, we
could perhaps take our chances with
the rest, but our great competitors have
established and maintained their lines
by government subsidies until now they
have practically excluded us from par
ticipating. In my opinion no choice is
left to US but to put the issue moder-
ately, at least, on the same lines.
THE NEW NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the
navy exhibits great progress in the con.
struction of our new navy. When the
present secretary entered upon his du-
ties only three modern steel ves-
sells were in commission. The ves-
sells since put in commission, and
to be put in commission during the
winter, will make total OF 10, during
his administration of the department.
During the current year 10 war vessels
and three navy tugs have been launched.
Two other large ships and torpedo
boat are under contract and the work
upon them is we'll advanced, and the
four monitors are awaiting only the ar
rival of their armor, which Las been un-
expectedly delayed, or they would have
been before this in commission.
Contracts have been let, during this
administration, under the appropria-
tions for the increase of the navy, in
Guiding new vessels and their appur-
tepances. to the amount of $37 600, 900,
and there have been expended during
the same period for labor at the navy
yards, upon similar works, $4,000, 900,
without the smallest scandal or
charge OF fraud or partiality. The en-
thusiasm and interest of our naval
officers, both of the staff and line, have
been greatly kindled. They have re-
sponded magnifcently to the confidence
OF congress, and have demonstrated to
the world their unexcelled capacity
to construct and handle ordnance and do
everything involved in the building,
equipping and sailing OF great war
ships.
All the beginning of Secretary Tracy's
administration several difficult prob
lens remained to be grappled with and
solved before this efficiency in the
secured. 1t is believed that
construction of armor plate our later
chips will be clothed with defensive
plates of higher resistance than are
found on any war vessel afloat. We
were without torpedoes. Tests have
been made to ascertain the relative eff
cheney Of different constructions. A
torpedo has been adopted and the work
of construction is now being carried on
successfully. We were without armor
piercing shells. We are now making
what is believed to be projectile supe-
rior to any before in use. A emokeless
powder has been adopted, and slow
burning powder for guns of large calibre.
High explosives, capable of use in shells
fred from heavy guns have been found
and the manufacture of gun cotton has
been developed, and the question of
supply is no longer in doubt.
THE NAVAL MILITIA.
The development of naval militia,
which has been organized in eight states
and brought into cordial and co-opera-
tive relations with the navy. is another
important achievement. There are now
enlisted in these organizations 1900 men
and they are likely to be greatly ex-
tended. recommend such legislation
and appropriation as will encourage and
develop this movement.
The recommendations of the secretary
will, do not doubt, receive the friendly
consideration of congress, for he has en-
joyed, as he has deserved, the confidence
of all those interested in the develop
ment of our navy, without any division
upon partisan lines. I earnestly
express the hope that work
which has made such noble pro-
gress may not now be stayed. The
wholesome influence for the peace and
increased sense of security which our
citizens domiciled in other lands fee
when those magnificent ships under the
American flag appear, is already most
gratefully apparent. The steamships
from our navy which will appear in the
naval review in the harbor OF New YORK
will be a convincing demonstration tc
the world that the United States is q
great naval power.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
The work of the interior department
always very burdensome, has been
larger than ever before during the ad
ministration of Secretary Noble. The
disability pension law, taking the elev
enth census, the opening of vast
areas of Indian lands to set
f1opopt tho orror;,o+;ox os n1.l.L....