The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-01-25
WE NEED MORE SHIPS
The Naval Appropriation
Bills Allowance for New
Men of War.
LESSONS FROM THE YALU
Three Battleships and Twelve Tor
pedo Boats Recommended
Best Vessels Afioat.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 1895-Mr. Tai
bott Dem., Md today submitted to the
House his report explaining and recon-
mendng the passage of the Naval APP
preparation bill.
In advocating the allowance of the three
battleships and the twelve torpedo boats
reconmended by the Secretary of the
Navy, the report says that after care
full and exhaustive study of our naval
needs the committee is of the unanimous
opinion that the additional vessels called
for should be granted. The necessities
of our geographical position have been
carefully taken into consideration, and
the committee has been forced to the
conclusion that the continuation of the
building of battleships is of vital i'm
portance. These vessels, as represented
by those heretofore provided for, are be-
lkved to be of class equally well ad-
apted for defensive and offensive opera
tons, and are especially suited for the
defence of our own coasts. The ques-
tion of the superlative value of the battle
ship, as compared with any other type
of vessel for warlke operations, has been
we'll exemplified in the present war be-
tween China and Japan.
"A YALU LESSON.
In the battle off the Yalu River Off
cial reports received by the Navy Depart
ment and statements of officers engaged
in this battle make it clearly evident
that had it not been for the Chinese
battleships the entire Chinese fleet would
have been DESTROYED. In this battle the
Japanese fire was. for the greater part
of the time. directed mainly against the
two Chinese battleships, and is described
as having been terrific, one of these two
battleships having been mt ABOUT ABOUT esU 4oV
and the great number of times that these
vessels were hit. they were practically
uninjured, or to so slight a degree that
they would have been enabled to engage
in battle with practically unimpaired
efficiency Immediately after the fight;
1t is a question whether, if they had
japanese would have been victorious.
Y9 NO PEERS.
The committee is satisfied that all
questions relating to the building OF
battleships heretofore authorized have
been settled in, such manner that they
Will be. for their size, without peers in
haustive Investigation has convincingly
shown that, although carrying the most
powerful Batteries OF their class. their
stability is all that could be desired.
1t is undoubtedly true that with en-
larged experience and added facilities
we can now build battleships more quick
ly and at less expense than heretofore.
In the opinion of the COMMITTEES there is
no necessity, at the present time, for the
building of any other class of vessels
than those recommended. The concensus
of the best military expert opinion of the
present day places the battleship in the
first line of defence against a foreign foe.
It's tactical position is in the line OF
battle of the. fleet. and it is distinctly
the primary fighting element of a navy.
The cruiser. of which your committee
is satisfied we have a sufficient number
in time of war. and in time of peace is
the type of vessel ordinarily used to pro
tect the country's interests abroad and
to perform general naval duties in foreign
waters.