New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-29
COALING STATIONS NEEDED.
HOW SENATOR MORGAN WOULD SOLVE
THE NAVAL PROBLEM BY AR
MORED SAILING VESSELS.
FUEL BEING CONTRABAND OF WAR. OUR CRUIs-
Frs WOULD BE HELPLESS IN THE EVENT
OF FOREIGN UNAVAILABLE SITES
ALREADY OFFERED THE
UNITED STATES IN THE

WEST INDIES
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. May Ex-senator Morgan will ex-
hibt active interest in questions affecting the
Navy in the I.1Vth Congress. The Senator does not
pretend to be an expert In the designing and con-
structlng OF war-vessels but he assumes to have
a knowledge Of wise policy to be pursued in some
practical questions Of naval administration. In an
interesting talk with Tribune correspondent the
Senator has expressed his views the subject.
He believes that the practice Of building cruisers
and battlcshps which are to be propelled by steam
should be abandoned. and armorcad sailing vessels
substituted: or that II the designing Of steamers
intended FOR fighting and swift cruising Is 10 con-
tinus. the country mus, obtain. in way or an
other. coaling stations at various points. While
speaking In terms OF compliment OF the ability
shown by naval designers and ship builders OF the
United States. Senator Morgan said that 10
his mind. the country was eApendnS vast
sums OF money from which. In case OF
war. good would come. He
pointed on, that coal is contraband Of war.
and showed that under the present conditions the
American feet. while useful on the Atlantic Gulf
and Pacific coasts would be worthless for pur-
poses OF offence and defence. when absent from
home waters or a base OF supplies.
Senator Morgan assumed. for Illustration. that
there might be hosttles between this country and
England. The fleet OF the latter Power, as well as
her commerce. would be spread over the waters OF
the world In every quarter she has possessions.
where coal can readily be obtained Thus her squad
rons could be active and constantly on the often
slvc The American ship could no doubt reach
her destination but by the time she got there she
would no, have coal enough In her bunkers 10 war
rant her commanding officer In bringing on fight.
and the Eneliss fleet could take advantage OF this
fact and escape without fear OF pursuit The
American hattle-shlp or cruiser would be help
less either at sen or In foreign port No
country would supply her with coal because her
hostile mission would be known. and she would re-
main In foreign port or float about nj sea for
an indefinite period Senator Morgan said that II
was fac; that golfers could be sent. under
voy. from New-York. san Francisco and other
ports and tina, vessels o, the country could have
their bunker. rcn.,cd provided the golfers reached
their destination. He sail OF course. the enemy
you'd 10 the lookou, FOR the colllers and I'M
less the convoy wag numerous. wearmei and we'll
arnored. It would be "vcrpowerei. and the coal
captured The solution - ne question. the Senator
san with considerable earnestne-s. was the con-
siruc;.on Of arnorci sailing vessels. or the cs,ab-
lshmen, OF American ocaling stations abroad.
lie sdiei that sailing vessels had had their day.
but as they I'D consume coal they would be
as valuabl. In time Of war to country which had
no coAllng stations armorcd steamers. which
when away from their base OF supply. were help
less.
IL 4. OF interest IN connection with Senator Nor
gan's views to note that Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy McAdoo. who recently visited the West
Indies IN" Columbia. had frequent opportuni-
ties 20 purchaFc or lease coaing stations In that
quarter At several Of the ports which the colum
ba touched responsible business men came on
board and made formal offers OF desirable sites
for coaling stations Some OF these could have been
obtained for "A onsy consideration and others
merely b. acceptance Mr. McAdoO'c experiences
I'm this direction Will be embodied In report he Is
shortly to submit, to Secretary Herbert. and 1t Is
al nat