The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-01

OF the old wooden ships of the navy but
eight remain in active service as cruisers,
and one, the Hartford, is now being re-
paired for service With the exception of
the Hartford and the Kearsarge, which
are specially excepted by act of congress,
all of these vessels will disappear from ac-
tive service within three years under the
operations of the 10 per cent. limit. None
of our wooden vessels can be taken into
account in the consideration of an effec-
tive navy.
After careful consideration the depart
ment requests authority to devote the
S45o, 900 authorized for the construction of
a vessel similar TO the VesUvius TO the
construction of three torpedo boats; and
il also recommends that congress should
so increase the limit of cost of the swift
torpedo cruiser authorized by the &C; of
June 80. 1890, as to enable the department
10 have this vessel laid down during the
next fiscal year.
The secretary recommends that the con-
struction of at least one ba,tleship and six
torpedo boats be authorized by congress at
the coming session. The authorization OF
these vessels would require the expendi-
ture of very little money during the
coming fiscal year. First-ciass torpedo
boats can now be built for $i2o0 900
each. and not more than $500, coo
OF this sum estimating the total cost at
$4,000. would be expended within the
fiscal year ending June 30. 1898. So much
time Is required TO perfect the plans of =
batsleship, put IL under contract and pro-
vide the material that not more than one
tenth of the cost of such q vessel. If il
should be authorized. would need to be
appropriated for during the coming session
of congress. Every vessel now authorized
may be expected TO be in commission by
the first day of July, iss. 50 that unless
other ships 10 provided for now we shall
at that date not have single ship in
process of construction. The question is
therefore presented whether on ac-
count of the present condition OF
the treasury, the programme of building
moderate sized navy shall be
absolutely arrested. 1t is not believed
that the American people. intent as they
are on enforcing economy in government
expenditures. are willing that this
great work should be stopped short at
this time. II may be well, considering
financial conditions, TO make only
moderate provision for new ships, but
il would be much regretted ii congress
should, by making none whatever, indi-
cate an intention TO abandon entirely the
work Of constructing the new navy at
time when sll the plants are in operation
throughout the country. ready 20 build In
better style and at more economical rates
than ever before.
Concerning the increasing need of .
larger navy the secretary says:
The increase Of our population and the
expansion of our trade under more favor
sBle com mercial regulations than at pres.
ant. which may he expected II result irosn
future legislation. are certain 20 beget
American interests whieh will look TO
naval protection ia all parts Of the
world The resaaation @. the seal
fsaerles and the frsetsons which. even
under the best regulations. are likely TO
eIIss IN the neigh bo-hood Of Hering sea;
the powerful naval establishment main
tanned by Great Britain AZ the entrance Of
PHget sound. our close interests with
China Aad Japan, increased every dsy by
powerful lines of fast steamships. cur geo.
graphical and political relations wgin
she 5slaads cs the Pscsfc. our
malrifarioas interests along the
whois saa.h and Centrai American
coasts, nos more or less in a state o. Pr
AsaeAi unrest, would be more than sGEl