The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-12-12
THE NATIONS NAVY.
Features Of Secretary Eerbert's
Annual Report.
Fifteen Light-Orsft War Vessels wantea
for Defense of AIlantica and Gulf Coasts
Comparative Naval Strength of
Principal Powers, Etc. Etc.

asks congress at the coming session to
authorize
Three Ii ght-Draft Bsttleships and Twelve
Torpedo Boats.
He recommends that these ships be
planned for an extreme deep-load
draft of not more than % feet, and sug-
gests hat considerations of strategy
upon cur Atlantic and gulf coasts rem
der this an essential to the success of
naval campaigns.
"This reasoning" he says, us the
final result of much careful study by
able officers of conditions as they ex-
list on U southern coast. Battleships
that could enter the harbors of Sayan-
nah, Brunswick, Key West, Tampa,
Pensacola, Mobile and TIE mouth of
the Mississippi at all times would have
an immense advantage over the battle
ships of foreign nations, few of which
could enter these ports. Light draft
battleships, if we had them, could
make any of these ports bases of
supply, could sally forth from them c.
retire into them at will and could
therefore almost always offer battle on
their own terms.
There are also many of our ports
further north, which would give the
same advantages to such ships"
An interesting feature of the report
is a resume of the progress of
The Upbuilding of the New Navy
From the time of its inauguration I'M
der Secretary Chandler. Congress has
authorized during the present admin
istration 20 vessels. with a total on
mage of O., 1866 tons; of these five are
fl rst-class battleships and l6 torpedo
boats.
LA rye as the above increase ap-
pears" says the tary, 1t yet
does not suffice to place the United
States navy in a satisfactory condi-
tion, if we mean to be able at all times
to defend our long line of scacoast,
afford unquestionable protection to
our citizens in foreign lands, render
efficient aid to our diplomacy and
maintain under all circumstances our
national honor.
The secretary, calling attention to
the
Compare tive Naval Strength OF the Prin-
cipaI Powers,
states that while the results ach lie we'd
by the United States are highly cred
liable to the country, yet it is clear
that the great powers with which we
are brought into close relationship
largely exceed US, not only in the
number of battleships and torpedo
boats actually in commission, but in
kl,a,, ,o-n fo- tha e.
ture.
The secretary shows that on June
30, 1898, there were so vessels in COM
mission, with a tonnage of e., $50 tons,
while on December 10 the total ton
mage in commission will be 1877, 1853
TONS.
Attention is again called to the me-
cessity for some legislation by con-
grcss which will unable the depart
ment to make use.
In Case of an Emergency,
Of the tugs. yachts and vessels N
gagged in the fishing fleets and coast.
wise and lake trades, and to cali in to
the service of the navy the sailors and
officers necessary to command, and tit
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 ma
rine.
Reference is also made to
y Reserve system,
and the secretary sets forth the report
of a board appointed to formulate n
general plan for the laying up of YES
sells in reserve, and in this connection
it is announced that the department
expects to be able to submit to the
congress at an early day during the
coming session suggestions for such
legislation as may be needed TO enable
it 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 impressed.
The Subject of the Naval Militia
is dealt with at some length, and it is
shown hat at the close.of the last ad-
ministration the number of militia
lawfully certified was Lao, divided
among the states of Rhode Island.
Maryland. South Carolina, North Car
DINA, Massachusetts, California and
New York, From the last official re-
turns they now number of 1883 in
the states of California, New York,
Massachusetts,, North Carolina, Penn
sylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Michi-
gan, New Jersey, Georgia and Lou
%isiana, and the department has been
informed of the prospective formation
of an additional battalion in New
York lat BROOKLYN and an organiza-
ton in Ohio.
The secretary devotes considerable
space to reviewing the reports of the
chiefs of bureaus which have already
been published, and in this connection
asks congress to authorize the build
ing of a dock at Norfolk of sufficient
size to take in the largest vessel of the
navy. This he recommends should be
constructed of concrete, as it is more
durable, more readily repaired and
cheaper than wooden dock.
Such satisfactory experiments have
been made with
Liquid Fuel
By EDgineer-in-Chief Melville, that
the department has ordered that a tug
now being constructed at the Norfolk
yard and m of the smaller torpedo
boats being built by the Herreshofi
.Dmoanv hA frtad rn- ,,Sipr this oil