The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-23
ur. McAdOo's Ideas.


WASHINGTON, n. c., August22.-As-
sistant Secretary McAdoo OF the Navy
Department has made an interesting
contribution to the North American Re-
view upon the terrors OF the Victoria dis
aster and several Of the points ne makes
may naturally be held 10 forecast the pol
icy Of the Navy Department one or
these points is that the building OF
first-class battle ships will not be aban-
doned or even modified on account OF that
accident
McAd0o insists that the loss OF the Vic
toria does not show modern naval con-
struction 10 be at fault. and ought not to
lead TO any radical change in the make
up Of battle ship. Although 1t is pos
sble TO sink the battle ship, yet IL remains
the highest embodiment OF naval power
The ram is a tremendous weapon and so
is the torpedo; but the battle ship combines
ram, torpedo, armor and the fire OF pro
digious guns The gun is still the
first and greatest weapon In warfare
NJ. .MeAdoo does not underate the ram, and
the fact that IL is a part Of the modern
battle ship shows that IL is appreciated eY-
cry where but he points out that the bat
tie ship may have skill in maneuVer and
the fire Of its guns and torpedoes TO op-
pose to the ram. as we'll as it's own arm
ored PROV. These views lead TO the be-
lief that the present administration vii
adhere 10 the existing program OF con-
structlon. which includes eight first
class battle ships. I'm addition 10 the four
now built or building.
Another interesting suggestion made by
Mr.. McAdoo Is that the United States
Navy needs squadron drills and the prac-
teal manoeuyering OF fleets. IL is true
that Admiral TryOn, whose fatal order
caused the Victoria disaster, had been
famous for his skill I'm such drills. and
that this very calamity occurred during
the nanoeuvering Of his fleet. But what
the Assistant Secretary urges is that
only through practice and experience can
OF GERS know how To manage their vessels
with safety and skill when brought to-
gstner i'm large number for actual bat
tie. The lack OF these drills thus far In
our service has been due TO the small
number Of vessels and the need OF scat
tefing them among many stations.
Mr.. McAdOo gives assurance mat "un-
doubtedly this will be changed In the near
future. as new ships are put in commits
sion. At any rate. e Is TO be hoped that
our officers and men I'm the future will
have more frequent opportunity for fleet
drill, as Il is the only practical way 10
acquire great skill and ability 10 handle
ships in time OF action. and Is, moreover,
the surest method Of acquiring precision
in that most important Of things in the
navy-the art Of signaling"
Still another need, which Mr. McAdoo
regards as of special importance IS the
Improvement OF the personnel. Think for
n moment" he says, "of what depends
upon the ability and courage OF the man
who In battle stands In a small armored
tower into which the light penetrates
from a mere slit between the rim and the
roof. through which he must see every
movement Of his ship. on his intelligence
learning, experience. skill, courage and
nerve rest the safety Of the ship and the
life OF the crew and the final outcome OF
the conflict" The moral which he draws
is that officers should reach the COM
mand Of ships while they are stu com
paratively young. 'Most OF the com
manding officers OF our civil war" he
says. "were men urder thirty. the age
has been gradually increased, until now
officers arriving at command rank are
forty-seven, forty-eight or forty-nine
years Of age
These utterances Of high ofnclal oi
tne navy Indicate that the department
will exert its influence In favor OF the
project OF more rapid promotion In the
navy. which. In one form or another has
been under consideration by Congress
for several years.