The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-05-24
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
Great and Immediate Need Of More
War Ships.

| WASHINGTON, April Is. = The
present and prospective naval
strength of the United States in
comparison with that of foreign pow
ers is set forth in the report of the
House Committee on Naval Affairs
presented today by Chairman Cum
mings. The report states that the
committee has reluctantly conclud-
ed not to recommend the construc-
ton of a new battleship because of
the depleted condition of the treas
ury. 1t is urged, however, that
there must be no halt in building
up the navy. England proposes,
says the report, to begin seven bat
tie ships of the first class, six
cruisers of the second class, and
two sloops. Italy, with depleted
treasury, is preparing to build three
frst-class battle ships, three cruis-
ers, twelve torpedo boats and four
transports. Germany, France and
Russia are going to even greater
lengths to secure the increase of
their navies. Part of the report is
as follows:
In view of this fact it certainly
would not be safe for the United
States to build no more battle ships.
With increasing prosperity, the
work should go on until the Ameri-
can navy is strong enough to stand
all exigencies. The slight increase
proposed by the committee will
certainly not burden the country
with taxation during the coming
year, and with renewed prosperity
the work can be continued in the
future without overburdening the
nation. The total loss of the
Kearsarge leaves the Hartford, Adj
miral Farragut's flagship, the only
vessel in the new navy, aside from
the frigate Constitution, around
which historical memories cluster.
The committee, in accordance with
the wishes of the Navy Depart
ment, have recommended liberal
appropriations for her preservation,
believing that public sentiment de-
mands it.
The committee has 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 recommended some
provision for the naturalization of
aliens enlisted in the navy. The
report of the Judge Advocate-G Gen
leral of the navy calls attention to
the fact thataliens who have served |
twenty years in the United States
navy had no opportunity to become |
citizens of the United States.
In reporting this provision the
the committee think some steps
should be taken toward encourage
ing the enlistment of American
sailors. There are several bills
before the committee which have
this object in view and which it is
hoped may become laws. In
accordance with the suggestion of
the Secretary of the Navy the COM
mittee recommended that he be
to use "for the construc-
ton of one additional cruiser of the
Vesuvius type" the $3.50, 900 appro-
priated by the act of March 2, 1889,
for the construction of three tor
pedo boats, to cost altogether not
more than $45O,OOO. By the act of
March 3, 1898, 5000, 900 was appro-
priated for building submarine
boat. The committee recommend
hat the Secretary be authorized to
Use this 100000 for the construc-
ion of a torpedo boat. The com.
nittee further recommends that
be given the Secretary to
transform the United States steam
n Vesuvius into a torpedo cruiser,
f, in his opinion, such transforma-
ion will warrant its efficiency for
laval purposes. This will give
otal of four new torpedo boats, and
f the Vesuvius be changed, five.
The total appropriation is $685.
,SO,966, which is an advance on
asst year, but a considerable de-
rease from the estimate of this
year. The main item of decrease
s $4,000, 900 for armor plate, which
S 100000 less than the estimate.