Mexico weekly ledger., 1894-12-06

fompietioa. VIII constitute a fleet which ii Is
believed Is sufficient for ordinary cruising pur-
poser in ;llne Of peace. We nave now competed
ana in process ~ construction but four hrst-
c!a~T bal'ir~Aip7 and but few torpeto
boat. Il we are to have a navy
for ~xariilr operations. offensive. and de-
fcn-iyc, w certainly ought 10 Increase both
the number Uf f1ftir-hips and torpedo boats.
l reccmmenj tlat provision oe made for tue
construction ri additional UatiIt-NhiiiS ana TOT
pctto boats.
o~luDNAN,E AND MATERIAL
Thc secretary recommends The minufictIre
not ouly Of y reserve supply of ordnance and
ordnance material Tor ships of the navy, but
also . supply Tor the auxiliary feet Guns and
their appIrteHanCcN should be provided ana
kept on hand for both these purposes. We
have u"t to-day Il single gun that could be put
upon Ehe ships Paris or New York OF the inter-
national Navigation co. or any other Slllp OF
our reserve navy. The manufacture OF guns az
the Washington navy ward Is proceeding sal
i,factorllY, and none of oar new ships vel be
required ta wait FOR Their guns or ordnance
eQuipnacst.
An ORDER.
Az important order has been issued by tIe
secretary of the navy c"-ortiIaaiing the dutles
of the several bureaus concerned IN the con-
strurlion ef ships. This order. it i believed.
Will AprurC to Il greater extent than has hereto
fore been possible The harmonious action of
these several bureaus. and make the attain
ment OF the best results mere certain
ACTIVE WORK FOR THE NAVY.
During the past fiscal wear there has been an
unusual and preSSiag demand IN it!tiH quarters
of the world for The presence of vessels toEuard
American interests. IA January last. during
The brazilian inSurrerlion. a large fleet was
concentrated in the harmon of Rio de Janelro.
The vigorous action of Rear-Adiuiral Henham
in protecting the personal ana commercial
rights az our citizen. during the disturbed Goa
tR'iott~ afforded lt~'!itr "Ll'u VIZ II - nc
licNc1i, have Il far-rfachiHG and wholesome in
iiuclrr whenever n. like circumstance It niaY
become necessary for our naval commanders 10
interiors on behalf uf our people IN foreign
paris. The war now in progress between China
and Japan has rendered 1t necessary or rN-
peOielt 10 dispatch eight vessels To those wa
! tiers.
THE COAST SURVEY,
Both the secretary OF tn" navy and the
secretary at the treasury recommend Inc
transfer Of The work Of the coast
| survey proper To the uJyy department.
/ heartily concur in this recommendation.
| Excluding Alaska and Il very small area be-
| sides, all the WOCk ot mapping and ehartinE
our coasts has been completed. Tie hydro
graphic work which must he done ever ara
over again, by reason of the shifting and wary
| ton of streams ana tides, has heretofore been
done under the direction of naval oEtcere in
| subor(iuation 10 the superintendent al the
couSt survey. There seems to be nv good
rea son why the navy SHOULD not haze entire
charge hereafter Of such work.
PERSONNEL AND PRoMtflnNS
| feel IL ms imperative duty tn call attention
TO the recommendation of the secretary ia rc-
gard to the personnel of the line of Ia" navy,
| Tie >taRnalt0n OF promotion In this the vital
| branch OF the service Is 80 great rs 20 serious
most Importance that TIA" yua1% ahd middle
aged officers should be fore the eve Of retire
lncnt be permittc to reach Il grade emitting
then to active and important duty.