Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-28
THE NAVAL POLICY.
An Endeavor to Extend Our Com
merce With Foreign Countries,
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
Warships to Protect the Interests
of Americans.
NEVER so WELL EQUIPPED.

The present distribution of United States
warships in foreign waters marks. II is
Said. an intention on the part of this gov
eminent 10 obtain the extension of Amerf-
can trade and commerce in countries which
would naturally have large commercial in
terests with the United States Respect
for American interests in foreign countries
through the presence of our men-of-war is
the keynote Of the idea. 1t is not a new
policy by any means. but it has never been
attempted on such a large scale before ow-
ing To the lack OF vessels.
Never So Well Represented.
At no time within recent years has the
United States government been SO well
represented in foreign waters by an armed
naval force. Three big cruisers are at Rio
Janeiro. two more are on their way there
and 1t Is possible that this number may be
increased to six by the monitor Miantono-
mon, now fitting for sea at the Brooklyn
navy yard The gunboat Yorktown is at
Caliao. Peru. and the corvette Alliance
sailed yesterday to Join her from La Lib
ertad. The old Yantic is stationed perma-
nentiy al the mouth of the Rio de la Platte
charged with the duty of attending to
american interests in adjacent territory
The Ranger, which sailed from La Liber-
TAD yesterday for Corinto, Nicaragua Is
assigned to the west coast OF Central Amer
lea, where revolutionary outbreaks are so
frequent, while the corvette Kearsarge now
en- route from New York to San Domingo
10 anord protection to American life and
property in the threatened uprising there
VIII cruise about the West Indies and along
the east coast OF Central America.
The Asiatic Station.
The Philadelphia and the Adams are at
Honolulu and the Chicago and the Ben
nington are in the Mediterranean. The
Asiatic or China station, which has become
30 important through the alleged hostile
feeling Of the Chinese toward Americans
over the exclusion law, has six vessels at
tached to it. and it is expected that the
Machias. now at Brooklyn. will sail soon to
Join them.
The North Atlantic or home station has
nominally five, but actually only two large
vessels in commission to it's credit-the
kearsarge and the Miantonomoh. The
kearsarge is bound for San Domingo
(Which can hardly be called a home" port
although within the lines of the station)
and the Miantonomoh may go to Rio. The
Machias and Castine are destined for
China. The dynamite cruiser Nesuvius is
therefore likely to be the sole war vessel
left for service on the eastern coast of the
United States, and the practicability Of the
serious doubt.
other Ships Fitting Out.
At the navy yard at Mare Island. Cal,
the old Mohican is fitting for sea service
presumably in the South Pacific. The coast
defense vessel Monterey is also at Mare
Island. The Thetis Is in Mexico and the
Pinta is in Alaska.
1t is intended to keep ships-of-war in the
waters of countries where there is a chance
for increasing American trade. South
America and Central America will be given
the greatest attention. The idea is based on
the theory that American interests will be
respected when an American cruiser is near
by, and, furthermore, II is hoped that for
eign countries will appreciate the recogni-
tion of their Importance to this country by
the action of the United States government
In causing itself to be represented in their
ports. The present large fleet of men-of-
war at Rio Is an instance of this govern
ment's intention to make IT known that the
United States has the force to protect the
life and property of its citizens 1t will be
noticed from the list given that wherever
there is a chance for the extension of
American trade and commerce United
States vessels are to be found notably in
the West Indies. in South America and
IN Central America.