The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-05

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-The most i'm
portant recommendation made by Secre-
tary Herbert in his annual report is that
congress authorize the construction Of
three great batt.eships OF about 10000
tons displacement each, to cost exclusive
Of armament not exceeding S40000 900 each,
and twelve torpedo boats of from 100 to
500 tons each, at the discretion of the
secretary. to cost not exceeding an aver
age of $4,000
Since his last report five splendid ships
have been added 10 the naval list. three Of
which are capable Of speed in excess at
twenty-one knots, while two of them are
the fastest cruisers in the world. The
five vessels are the Marblehead, 1914
knots; Columbia, $3.50; Olympia, 2l.69;
Montgomery. 1886, and Minneapolis,
23.O76.
One important change Of naval policy
is noted in connection with the advertise
ments for three new torpedo boats, soon
TO be issued. The secretary says that no
speed premiums will be allowed on these
boats that the premium system I'M
doubtedly had its advantages when
adopted, but the department is now con-
WINGED that the time has come when,
with the experience gained, it may with
profit be abandoned.
The report shows the number of tor
pedo boats now on hand in foreign coun-
tries is 1,2S3, and the number building 1S2.
Great Britain has 175 on hand and sixty
four building. while France is even better
off, with PA on hand and fcrty-One build
ing Of eighteen countries enumerated
not one has less that twenty-five of these
boats. while the United States, with more
coasts and ports than any nation, has but
six, counting those yet to be built.
The secretary speaks in terms Of deep
regret of the loss of the Kearsarge, and TO
prevent the famous name from lapsing on
the naval list he suggests that a battle
ship be built 10 perpetuate it. He also
suggests that the renowned Cd COnstitu-
ton be put in repair and paced on exhi-
bition at the Washington navy yard as an
object of interest 10 patriotic Americans.
The secretary has taken cue from the
battle Of Yalu and says that he has given
instructions that al but the most necessary
woodwork must be removed from our
ships. Attention is called to the fact that,
although the government is annually eX
pending large subsidy for vessels such
the Paris ard New York TO secure their
use. in time of war, it has not a gun TO
put on them. At present, in case of war,
Great Britain could speedily arm her mer-
chant marine on the S<eat lakes and do US
enormous damage, while if we had a re-
serve supply of guns we could dominate
these waters.
On this point-of preparation for war in
time of peace-the secretary makes this
very significant comment:
The latest and one Of the most i'm
pressive lessons in al. history is now being
taught by China and Japan. A nation,
the most pOpulOus in the word able 10
put millions Of fighting men into the field,
Is now. after suffering many disasters.
securing Europe and America for NUM-
tons Of war 1t relied upon its numbers.
Now it is buying discarded guns and dis
carded ammunition, whatev it can get.
10 aid in repe-ling the assaults of a peO-
De vastly inferior in numbers"
The secretary caused experiments to be
made at Newport TO determine the prOba-
BILE effect upon the crew Of a submarine
boat Of the explosion Of torpedo charges
Live animals were enclosed in an old
torpedo case, which was submerged in
fifteen feet of water and charges of eighty
pounds of gun cotton were exploded at
various distances. from 431 feet to eighty
feet No d1mage was done TO the in
mates, and it has been demonstrated that
the crew Of a submarine boat will be safe
50 long as the hull is not ruptured. But
IS was made apparent by the denting Of
the torpedo case at eighty feet distance
that the danger 10 a submarine boat from
the defamation Of high explosives must be
taken into consideration.
Notice Of Secretary Herbert's intention
10 create a new naval statiOn-the south
Pacihc-is found in paragraph, announc-
ing MS purpose, now that nearly all Of our
cruisers are ready for service, to put into
operation a policy which will keep A num-
Der Of cruising vessels sufficient for the
ordinary needs Of naval policing and the
protection Of our interests abroad on each
OF six Observation-Disclosures, south At
lantic. north Pacific, south Pacific, Asiatic
and European.
TIE report states that instructions have
been sent 70 the admiral commanding in
Asatic waters which, il is believed. will
secure the utmost possible protection 10
American interests and the collection Of
valuable information relative to the naval
battles fought there.
After again calling attention to the ur-
gent needs Of legislation Cor the relief OF
the personnel Of the navy the secretary
recommends that the enlisted force be in
creased by 1000 men. In conclusion the
secretary submits estimates for the next
year. aggregating S27. 914. exceeding the
current appropriations by $5,495, 193 caused
mainly by the necessity Of paying for YES
sells now under contract It is stated that
after this year the appropriations on this
score will rapidly Misunderstanding from
$13.259, 393 next year to S75O.OO0 in the fol-