The morning call., 1894-04-19
ECONOMY AND PATRIOTISM
Motives Governing Cummings
House Committee.
TO SAVE THE OLD HARTFORD
1t Is Thought That Public Sentiment
Demands the Preservation of
the Old Ship.

WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The present
and prospective naval strength of the
United States in comparison with that OF
for eign powers is set forth in the report OF
the House Committee on Naval Affairs
presented to-day by Chairman Cummings.
The report states that the committee has
reluctantly concluded not to recommend
the construction of new battleshir, be-
cause of the depleted condition OF the
treasury. 1t is urged, however, that there
must be no halt in building up the navy.
England proposes, says the report, to be-
gin seven battleshps of the first class. six
cruisers of the second class and two sloops.
Italy, with depleted treasury. is prepar-
ing to build three frst-class battleships.
three cruisers. twelve torpedo.boats and
four transports. Germany. France and
Russia are going to even greater lengths
to secure the increase of their Davies.
The report goes on:
La view of these facts it certainly would
not be safe for the United States 10 burid
no more battlesbips. With increasing
prosperity the work should &c on until the
American navy is strong enough to STAND
all exigencies. The slight increase pro-
/, osed by the committee will certainly not
burden the country with taxation during
the coming year and with renewed pros
perity the work can be continued In the
future without overburdening the nation.
The total loss of the Kearsarge leaves
the Hartford, Admiral Farragurs flag
ship, the only vessel in the new avy, aside
from the frigate Constitution, around
which history memories cluster The COM
mItee, in accordance with the wishes OF
the Navy Department, has recommended
liberal appropriations for her preser-
walton, believing public sentiment de-
mands il.
The committee has brought into the bill
clause providing for the naturalization
of alien sailors and marines on vessel,
who have served five consecutive years
and have been granted honorable dis
charges The Secretary recommended
some provision for the naturalization of
aliens enlisted in the navy. The report of
the Judge Acknowledgement OF the navy
calls attention to the fact that aliens who
have served twenty years In the United
States navy had no opportunity 10 become
citizens of the United States. In report
ing this provision the committee thinks
some steps should be taken toward en-
couragng the enlistment of American
sailors. There are several bills before
the committee which have THE object in
view, and which, it is hoped, may become
laws.
In accordance with the suggestion of the
Secretary of the Navy the committee
recommends that he be authorized to use
the money appropriated for the construc-
ton of ono additional cruiser of the We
suvius type, S450000. appropriated by the
act of March 2, 1889, for the construction
of three torpedo-bOats to cost altogether
not more than S4500O0. BY the act of
March 3, 1893, 100000 was appropriated
for building a submarine boat. The CON-
mittee recommends that the Secretary be
authorized to use this 100000 also for the
con struction of torpedo-boat. The COM
mittee further recommends that authority
be given the Secretary to transform the
United States steamer Vesuvius into n
torpedo cruiser. IL in his opinion such
transformation be advisable. This will
give four new torpedo-boats, and ii the
Vesuvius is changed five.
The total appropriation carried by the
bill aggregates $25 $50. 500. which is an adj
vance on last year, but considerable de-
crease from the estimate of this year. The
main item of decrease is S4 100000 for
armor-plate, which is S2,500.00O less than
the estimate.