The record-union., 1894-04-19
special to the REcoRp-UNroN.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
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 Committee on Naval Affairs
presented to-day by Chairman Cum
mings. The report states that the COM
mittee has reluctantly concluded not to
recommend the construction of a new
battleship, because of the depleted con-
ditIon of the Treasury. It's urged. how
every, that there must be no halt in build
Ing up the navy. England proposes. says
the report, to begin seven battleships OF
the first class. six cruisers of the second
class, and two sloops. Italy, with de-
pleted treasury, is preparing to build
three first class battleships, three cruis-
ers, twelve torpedo boats and four tran
sports. Germany, France and Russia are
going TO even greater lengths to secure
the increase of their navies.
The report concludes as follows: I'm
view OF this fact, it certainly would not
be safe for the United States to build no
more battleships. With increasing pros
perity the work should go on until the
American navy is strong enough to stand
al. eXigencies. The slight increase pro-
posed by the committee will certainly not
burden the country with taxation during
the coming year, and with renewed pros
perlty the work can be continued in the
future without overburdening the nation.
The total loss OF the kearsarge leaves the
Hartford, Admiral Farragut's flagship,
the only vessel in the new navy, aside
from the frigate Constitution, around
which historic memories cluster.
1.-The committee, in accordance with
the wishes of the Navy Department, have
recommended liberal appropriations for
her preservation, believing public senti-
ment demands it. The committee have
brought into the bill a clause providing
for the naturalization OF alien sailors and
marines on vessels who have served five
consecutive years and have been granted
honorable discharges. The Secretary re-
commended some provision Tor the ma
1urailZation of aliens enlisted in the navy.
The report of the Judge Advocate-Gen-
eral OF the navy calls attention to the
tact that aliens who have served twenty
years in the United States Navy had no
opportunity to become citizens of the
United States. In reporting this provi-
sion the committee thinks some steps
should be taken toward encouraging the
enlistment of American sailors. There
are several bills before the committee
which it is hoped may become laws. In
accordance with the suggestion of the
Secretary of the Navy, the committee re-
commends that he be authorized to
use for the construction of one
additional cruiser of the Vesuvius
type the S45O,OOO appropriated by the
Act of March 2, 1889, for the construction
of three torpedo boats to cost altogether
not more than $3.50, 900. By the Act OF
March 3, 1898, 100000 was appropriated
for building a submarine boat. The COM
mittee recommends that the Secretary be
authorized to use $500, 900 for the construc-
ton of torpedo boat. The committee
further recommends that authority be
given the Secretary TO transform the
United States steamer Vesuvius into a
torpedo cruiser, if, in his opinion. such
transformation will warrant the suffi-
cheney for naval purposes. This will
give a total of four new torpedo boats,
and, if the Vesuvius is changed, five"
This summarizes the appropriations
for the new navy. The total is S25, $50. .966,
which is an advance on last year, but a
considerable decrease from the estimate
of this year. The main item of decrease
is 81 4,000, 900 for armor plate, which is S2,
500, 600 less than the estimate.