The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-04-19

WASHINGTON. April 1S-The present
and prospective naval strength OF the
| United States, in comparison with that Of
| foreign powers, is set forth in the report
of the house COMMITTEES on naval affairs,
presented today by Chairman Cummings.
| The report states that the committee has
reluctantly concluded not to recommend
the construction of new battleship, be-
cause of the depleted condition of the
treasury. 1t is urged. however. that there
must be no malt IN building up the navy.
England proposes, says the report, to be-
gin seven battleships Of the first-class, six
cruisers OF the second-class and two sloops.
Italy, with depleted treasury, is prepar'
ing to build three flrst-class bat
tleshipf, three cruisers, twelve tor
pedo boats and four transports.
| Germany. France and Russia are going TO
J even greater lengths to secure an increase
of their navies. The reports adds: III
view of these facts il certainly would not
be safe for the United States TO build no
more battleships."
With increasing prosperity the work
| should go on until the American navy is
strong enough to stand all exigencies. The
slight increase proposed by the committee
will certainly not burden the country with
renewed prosperity the work can be con-
| tinued in the future without over burden
ing the nation. The total loss Of the kear-
sarge leaves the Hartford, Admiral Farra-
CUTS flagship, the only vessel in
the new navy, aside from the
frigate Constitution, around which historic
memories cluster. The committee, in &C.
cordance with the wishes OF the navy de-
partment, have recommended liberal
| appropriations for the preservation and
improvement, believing public sentiment
demands il. The committee have put
into the bill a clause providing for the
naturalization of alien sailors and marines
on vessels who have served five cOusecu-
tive years and have been granted honorable
discharges. The secretary recommended
some provision for the naturalization Of
aliens enlisted in the navy.
The report of the judge advocate general
OF the navy calls attention TO the
fact aliens vino have served twenty
years in the United States navy have had
no opportunity to become citizens OF
the United States. In re porting this provis-
ion the committee thinks some steps
should be taken towards encouraging the
enlistment of American sailors. There
are several bills before the committee
which have this object in view, aud which,
it is hoped, may become laws. In accord
ance with the suggestion OF the secretary
Oh the navy, the committee GSCULn menus
that he DE authorized to use "for the con-
struction of one additional cruiser of the
Vesuvius type" the $3.50, 900 appropriated
by the act of March 2, 1889. for the con-
struction of three torpedo boats to cost ale
together not more than 100000. BY the
act of March 3. 1898, 100000 was appro-
priatsd for building a submarine boat.
The committee recommends that the
secretary be authorized TO use this 500, 600
for the construction of torpedo boat
The committee further recommends that
authority he given the secretary to trans.
form the United States steamer Vesuvlus
into torpedo boat il, in his opinion, such
transformation will add to the efficiency of
the ship for naval purposes. This will
give total of four new torpedo boats, and
if the Vesuvius is changed. five.
The report summarizes the items OF ap-
preparation for the new navy. The total
is $25, $50, 966. which is an advance on last
year, but n considerable decrease from the
estimate of this year. The main item OF
decrease is 81. 600. 600 for armor plate which
is 81, 500 900 less than the estimate.