St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-19
UNCLE SAINTS GREAT NAVY.
A DEPLETED TREASURY PREVENTS
MORE SNIP BUILDING.
UuAIRmANCUMMINGs, REPORT

He Urges That Our New Navy,
Must Be Built Up as soon as
the Nations Finances Will
Permit-Condition Of Our Big
Battle Ships-The Lao 80 Of the
Kearsarge.
WAsHINGTON. April 1s.-The present
and pr ospective naval strength of the
United States, in comparison with that
of foreign powers. is set forth in the re-
port of the house committee on naval
affairs presented today by Chairman
Cummings. The report states that the
committee has reluctantly concluded
not to recommend the construction of a
new battle ship, because of the depleted
condition Of the treasury. 1t is urged.
however, that there must be no halt in
building up the navy. England pro-
poses, says the report. to begin seven
battle ships of the first class. six cruiS-
erS of the second class and two sloops.
Italy, with depleted treasury, is pre-.
pairing to build three first class battle
ships. three cruisers, twelve torpedo
boats and four transports.
Germany, France and Russia are go
ing to even greater lengths to secure
the Increase of their napieS. The re-
port adds: In view OF these facts, it
certainly would not be- safe for the
United States to build no more battle
ships and cruisers. With increasing
prosperity. the work should go on until
the American navy is strong enough to
stand all eXlgencies. The slight in
crease 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 ever
burdening the nation. The total loss o.
the kear>arge leaves the Hartford.
ADMIRAL FAKRAGUT'S FLAGSHIP.
the only vessel in the navy, aside from
tie frigaie Constitution. AROUND which
historic memories cluster. The com.
mittee. in accordance with the wishes
OF the navy department, have recon-
mended liberal appropriations for her
preservation and Improvement believ-
Ing that public sentiment demands it,
The committee have put into the hill q
OF alien sailors and marines on United
States vessels who have served five COLI
secutiye years and have been granted
honorable discharges. The secretary
recommended some provision for the
naturalization of aliens enlisted in the
navy. Similar provisions for the nat
urallZatl0n of our merchant Seamen and
CT enlisted hen serving in the army al
ready have become laws. The report
OF the judge advocate general of the
navy calls attention to the fact that
aliens vino have served twenty years in
the United States navy have had no OPP
portunity to become citizens of the
United States. In reporting this pro-
vision the committee expresses the
opinion that some steps should be taken
toward encouraging the enlistment of
AMERICAN SAILORS.
There are several bills before the
committee which have this object in
view, and which il is hoped may become
laws. In accordance with the suggcS-
tlon of the secretary of the navy, the
committee recommends that he be au-
thorlZed 10 use the $780, 900 appropriate
ed by the act Of March 2, 1882 "fur tile
construction Of one id.tional cruiser of
the VcSiipius type" for the construc-
ton of three torpedo boats. to cost alto
gether not more than *450, 1000. By the
act of March ). 1893. $500. GOO was appro-
priated for building a submarine boat.
HE committee recommends that the
secretary be authorized to use this $780,
OC0 forthe construction of torpedo
boat. | he committee further reconi-
mends that authority be given ~ tie
S; cre,ary to tiaHSfern The United States
steamer Vesuvius Into a torpedo cruiser,
if in his opinion such transformation
will add TO tie fflcieLcy OF the vessel
for naval PURPOSES.
This will give 4 total of four new
torpedo boats and, if the Vesuvius is
changed. FIVE. The report summarizes
the items of appropriations for the new
navy. The total is S25, $50, 966. which is
an advance on last year, but consider
able decrease from the estimate of this
year. The main item of decrease is
S4.0o0,0U0 for armor plate. which is
S2.5N0,U00 less than the estimate.
This and the other specific items have