The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-25
THE AUXILIARY NAVT.
The Government Might III It an Ad-
vantage to Draw some Cn.rmored Cruis-
ers from the Mercantile Marine.


vantage to Draw some Cnnrmored Cruis
ers from the Mercantile Marine.
WARRINGTON, Nov. 22.-In his speech at tn,
meeting OF the Society of Naval Architects Gen
Tracy said that we need such ships as the st
Louis, just launched at Philadelphia, not alone
for their value to our commerce., but as a valu.
able auxiliary to our navy in case Of war"
There is certainly much to be said for this
policy Of relying partly upon the merchant ma.
rinc for fast unarmorcd cruisers under contracts
for their use in time of war.
The act Of May 10. 1892. entitled an act to
encourage American shipbuilding.' authorized
the granting Of registers to certain foreign-built
steamships CT not less than 5000 tons. and Of a
speed not under twenty knots. belonging to
foreign corporations, but with at least nine
tenths of the stock owned by citizens OF the
United States, on condition that tho American
owners should acquired complete title and should
build in American shipyards an aggregate ton
mage equal to that Of the steamships so admitted
to registry. and, further. that each steam
ship thus built should be Of net less than 1900
tons. Any steamship thus registered could be
taken and used BY the Government as a cruiser
or transport upon paying to the owners its actual
value. Under this law, as is well known, the
Paris and New York became American vessels,
and the ST. Louis and 81. Paul have been built.
while other new liners Will follow.
This act OF 1902, although exceptional. and
for Il special purpose, was generally welcomed.
1t not only actually secured an important num-
Der Of American steamships, but it also recog-
nized the principle OF dealing with owners and
builders with a view to obtaining their vessels
for use as cruisers. During the year 1891 an
other act had authorized the Postmaster-Gen-
eral &c contract for the carrying of mails on
American steamships. which should he capable
OF PROMPT and economical conversion into aux
Hilary naval cruisers. Thus again the principle
OF founding an auxiliary feet from the Iaercan-
tile marine was recognized.
Secretary Tracy had urged in 1889 the acquisi-
ton OF fast liners, and, as his recent speech
shows, he regards the Inman line registry bill
as only a step toward other encouragements of
American shipbuilding. with a view to obtain
ing fast cruisers. Ho declared five years ago
that we must either have such fast merchant
men, or else Government cruisers making not
less than % knots. As is well known. the Co
lumbla and Minneapolis were afterward au-
thorized; but the act for registering the. Inman
steamers City Of New York and City OF Paris
also recalls the fact that. when during the
troubles with Chill Inquiries were made about
chartering these vessels. then carrying the
British flag. it was found that a notice Of several
weeks to the British Government would be nee
essary, and such a notice might be u fatal delay
1t is obvious that the special privilege given
TO the Paris and New York, coupled as It was
with the building of American vessels, was quite
Hiasr sct w n.s@ Called iI pfop SatG % %Sn act ta 10 s raann
age American shipbuilding. WHICH Is not what
biilo. On the other hand When \ 1, iii Is sespp
that the building OF ar American liner, which
makes q speed day in and day out OF over twenty
or twenty-one knots, furnishes tho country with
a vessel capable OF becoming also q tirst-class
cruiser. 1t will be understood why the encourage
ment OF such construction might prove an econ
OIny for the Government. CFuiHeFS like the
Columbia and Minneapolis cost $4,000, 900 eacn,
OF their armament. They have to be
kept up in time OF peace, and the expense OF
their maintenance Is very great, Ms they require
large crews, But the liner is maintained In time
in the best condition; and Admiral Meade has
even declared that in most cases the liner can
t 1s SS1 aSs eru ipSn e Wb Se iFss spsr IoT ,s sersiss s9 s9a%
the encouragement given to the industry Of
shipeuilding, i might pay to offer some induce
cIinery, which is usually more exposed than
adapted Tor war purposes. Then. With
guns, kept ready TO be placed on them. which
could be done in a few days, the Government
might not need 10 expend any more money on
big, fast. and costly cruisers OF Its own.
There Is a certain analogy In this respect be-
the organized militia as related to the army. A
small appropriation Is made by Congress for the
rinai Ens .ne ssPSrSte states incur the pIin,
their own liyings, although ready for service az
an hours notice, In case of war. lt has long
been the custom 10 keep lists of vessels that can
be used for cruisers. these being made up as the
result OF naval inspections. But Secretary
Tracy declared that the difficulty In obtaining
additional fast liners for cruisers Is that Amer
lean caDital will not be drawn Into the enter
prise, unless II can be sure OF specific cOmpensA-
for the concessions which II makes to the
in the %lstter's need. and secondly, in the
,GErendsr Of a privilege to use them when the
Foreign countries have found It for their in
Ierest to build up their merchant marine with
Eessels that could be used as auxiliary cruisers.
The Paris and New York TenOynced an aRgre-
gate Government allowance Of sos. 900 a Year
IN their transfer 70 the American flag. The
ressels connected with the British line from
canada TO japan have their subventions, which
,Oms directly from the Admiralty account The
nail subsidies OF England here and there have
1een familiar for many years, France and Italy
have bOunties not only for construction OF YES
els but for tonnage afterward In proportion To
he miles run in foreign voyages. The practice
Germany and Spain 10 Ia the same direction,
he former country paying steamer lines directly
or service, anu the latter a construction bounty |
or home-built vessels with mail subsidies.