Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-06

on our southern coast. Battleships that
could enter the harbors or savannah
Brunswick, Key West, Tampa, pensacola.
Mobile. and the mouth Of the MISSISSIPPI
at all times would have an immense ad-
vantage over the battleships of foreign
nations, few. II any, OF which could enter
these ports. Light-draft battieships, Al
we had them. could make any OF these
ports bases of supply; could sally fortn
from them or retire into them at WILL
and could, therefore. almost always
offer battle on their own terms.
There are also rnlny OF our ports
farther north which would give the same
advantages to sucn - ps."
An interesting feature of the report is
a resume Of the progress Of the upbuild-
ing of the new navy from the time OF
its Inauguration, under Secretary Chand-
ler Congress has authorized, during the
present administration Is vessels. with
total tonnage OF 65 SIS tons. OF these, 0
are first-class battleships. and Is torpedo
boats. Large as the above Increase
appears" says the Secretary. 1T yet
does not suffice to place the United States
navy in a satisfactory condition, II we
mean to be able at all times to defend
our long line of ssacoast, afford unques-
tionable protection to our citizens in for
eign lands, render efficient aid to our
diplomats, and maintain under all cir
cumstances our national honor"
OUR NAVAL WEAKNESS.
The Secretary, calling attention TO the
comparative naval strength OF the princi
pal Powers, states that while the results
achieved by the United States are highly
creditable TO the country. yet, Ii is clear
that the great Powers with which we
are brought into close relationship large
ly exceed u.s. not only in the number of
battleships and topedo-boats actually in
commission, but in their naval pro-
grammes for the future.
The Secretary shows that on June 30.
1893, there were thirty vessels in commits
sion, with a tonnage Of 2.s2o tons while
on December 10th the total tonnage In
commission will be 49, $50 tons"
Attention is again called TO the neces-
sity for some legislation by Congress
which will enable the department to make
USE In case Of ~ emergency, OF the tugs,
yachts and vessels engaged In the fish
ing fleets and coastwise and lake trade.
and to call into the service of the navy the
sailors and officers necessary 10 command
and fit such ships In case Of threatened
or actual war. He recommends an addi-
tional appropriation for the purpose OF
supplying guns and ammunition with
which TO arm vessels TO be called into
service from our merchant marine. Re
ference is also made to a reserve sys-
TEN. and the Secretary sets forth the re-
port Of a board appointed to formulate
a general plan for The laying up OF yes
sells in reserve, and In this connection
II is announced that the department ex-
poets to be able to submit 10 the Con-
gress at an early day during the coming
session suggestions for such legislation
as may be needed TO enable IL to provide
proper accommodations for ships. so that
It may establish and maintain a reserve
system, with the value and Importance
OF which the department is deeply i'm
pressed.
THE NAVAL MILITIA.
The subject OF the naval militia Is dealt
with at some length. and It Is shown that
at the close OF the last administration the
number OF naval militia lawfully certi-
fed was l79i. divided among the States
OF Rhode Island, Maryland South Caro-
lima. North Carolina. Massachusetts,
California. and New York. From the last
official returns they now number $3.50,
In the States OF California, New York.
Massachusetts. North Carolina. Rhode
Island, Maryland. South Carolina, Penn