The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-02
We Want Lots More Warships
He Says in His Report.
is TOO SMALL.
More Torpedo Boats in Particu-
lar Are Needed.
Wants Twenty Millions to Run
Navy with Next Year.

Herbert, secretary of the navy, has
made his annual report to President
Cleveland, in which he strongly urges
the increase of the navy.
I'VE are not in want of ordinary I'M
armored cruisers or of gunboats," he
says, but we are lamentably deficient
in torpedo boats, and we certainly
need more battle ships. An inspection
of the building programmes of other
nations will demonstrate that the les
sons taught at Yalu ana Wei Hal w Ell
have tended to confirm the belief of
naval experts throughout the world
in the efficacy of these two classes of
vessels The secretary recommends
the construction of two bate ships
and at least twelve torpedo boats, and
shows that they can be built now at a
reduction of from 20 to IS per cent
from former prices.
Toward this increase in the navy.
Mr.. Herbert estimates that SO, 638, 333
are necessary, and inclusive of that
amount his estimates for the complete
expenses of the naval establishment
for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1897, aggregate $50, 31I Jog. Out of
the appropriation for the current fiscal
year, amounting to $l4, 2I2, Sol. there
remains $942, 2s6.
4nICO NSSSSAS Ou41G ny SOAb4dO bAAC
Olympia, Minneapolis and Katahdin,
have been completed since last years
report, and also three built at the
navy yards, the Maine, Texas and
Amphitrite. The report makes the
following showing as to foreign
navies:
Great Britain, as usual, is leading
both in number and strength of ships
in service and in building programme,
with PA ships in service, not including
torpedo boats; she has forty-two yes
sells now under construction, of which
ten are battle ships. 1t will be OBJ
served that in accordance with Eng
lands policy OF placing her first line of
defense at the enemy's coast, no coast
defense vessels are building for that
country. The displacement of the
frst-class battleship in her present
programme is IA, 500 tons; that of the
second class, 1880 tons.
France, with IA effective vessels
in service, exclusive of torpedo boats,
has building program calling for an
which five possibly six are battle
ships and four are armored cruisers
Russia has eighteen ships building
of which fifteen are armored; in SER
vice, loo.
Italy has in service twenty-one yes
sells; the number building is, armored,
eight six battleships) and unarmored
seven.
Germany has seventy-fonr efficient
ships, and is building four armored
and four unarmOred.
"Spain is showing increased activity
and is building ten additional vessels.
of which one-half are armored, which
will make a total effective strength of
ffty-two.
1.-The Dutch navy numbers ninety
two effective vessels; the additions are
to be three armored and four unar-
mored vessels.
ION this continent Argentina. Bra
zil and Chilli have, all told, ordered
abroad six armored and nine I'M
armored vessels.
"For the Asiatic powers there are
now building in England two battle
ships for japan and a third will prob
ably be commenced soon. These are
of the English Royal Sovereign type.
of over II, 900 tons displacement, and
it is proposed to submit to the diet
program looking toward further
increase, which, with the addition of
the vessels captured from China in the
late war, will place Japan among the
important naval powers of the world.
1t is also rumored that China is look
ing toward the rehabilitation and
further increase of the navy as soon
as affairs become settled and the
money available"
The United States has three battle
ships in service and five building; six
teen coast defense vessels in service
and four building; one armored cruiser
in service and one building; thirty
three unarmored cruisers IN service
and one building; eight gun vessels in
and nina b11iidin0
The report shows that the entire ex-
pense of the navy department for the
year ended June so, 1895, was S12,
376, of which more than half was for
the pay OF the navy. The approprla-
ton for the current year is $40, 334, OPS,
and the estimate for next year S29,
81, 166.