New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-11
THE RESERVE FLEET PLAN.
.rcpETARY HERBERTS PROGRAMME
ADVERSELY CRITICISED.


ADVERSELY CRITICISED.
,,xy NAVAL OFFICERS THINK 1T WOULD PROVE
SERIOUS CHECK TO THE INCREASE OF THE
xAvY-woRK BEGUN on THE SCHEME.
lpy TELEGRAPH THE TRIRuNE.]
,rashinrton Sent. 10-Secretary Herberts pro-
.ranme for the creation OF Naval Reserve. an
lime Of which was recently given in these dis
,cbes is meeting with considerable criticism
mong naval officers These officers discuss the
suhect respectfully. but do not attempt TO disguise
the fact tina, they do not agree with the Secre-
,srv and are much in earnest In their judgment
,he formation Of Naval Reserve would be detri-
,,ontal 10 the best interests OF the sea-Soins
h-snch. rather than a benefit. as Mr.. Herbert
een,s to think The Secretary's plan. in lew
.,-ds Is that the country should have reserve
Aee, 10 be composed OF ships now in comm'Ssio"
and Of others which may in the future De pu' }"
se,vice more especially vessels OF the p"tue-S"p'
monitor and commerce destroyer types. i"oS'
.e- neriods of active cruising he would place al
,ain navy wards and keep on board only num-
- ~ officers and men sufficient TO look OUT iof
,se vessels and keep them in condition ior call
periodically according to the proposed sche'''
,,a ships would have full complement p'aceu u"
,,srd and make short cruises 10 test 'heii ""'
- and machinery and possibly take Naval
"
nauv the vessels would be laid up at docks: &C.
ally they would go 10 sea. Whether at a
- Yard or cruising they would be in commls-
sion.
NEED OF LARGER NAVY
..,,,her Of officers who have discussed the Sec
,o,srvs programme say that 1t is an economical
oh.ne but that in view OF all the CIRCUMSTANCES
81. saving Of money under any arransenlei" %
'' CO. .o,,ld he a disadvantage rather than d
offipe he.
~ country should have a big navy such as Eng
- t,,arce Possesses. but all agree that the
go N,,,,s IA. more powerful and numerous than
os.n, As the commerce OF the country IN
..as and its international relations consequently
me more important and diVerslned' as Will Oh
,-s be the case. they hold TO the opnho" '""'
,.,,.a States will have to maintain navy
~ larger than it has They argue mat II MT
t.,s ,lan is carried out at this stage OF the
.,,, nroeramme-that is if some OF the
h,,s NOW in service are put in reserve-'he
~ will find when il asks Congress Tor adu'-
..,,sl vessels that members oil 'he senate an"
,,as. will reply that there is no empioym LOT
,,,.,5 number already built. and That the
,,,,,-v ., large will similarly consider the case.
e,o 90 think that satisfactory
.. This ~srly can be made by the Navy De-
.. They SAY therefore. that the building
,.,og-anr,e will receive serious cheek 'he gay d
oso-va feet is established. Not 10 construct more
,s,,la-ships cruisers. gunhoats ana torpeuo "oi'S
,bev look upon a. "a grave mistake. ana 'heN l'"i
,-s will he the outcome of Mr.. Herbert present
81, They also 20 into the question Of enhs'eo
-.- q subject all officers are seriously Interest,""
10 congress in the last years has proVoed
IT, ~ Increase OF 600 in this branch. Every man
.n,horized was needed. Three thousand men were
actually required. If It became necessary suddenly
., muster into service more vessels than are no"
g., commission the authorities would ne ereaU!
embarrassed It would be impossible TO hhu 'i'"
., tho shins The feet could not be materially
augmented in numbers unless there was reuu'-
,on in the crews on ships az present crUS"'S
.,d ~ considerable decrease in the force OF 'heSe
,.sse.s could be made without seriously impairins
the efficiency Of their batteries and machinery
From al tho ships in commission probapF NOT
r,,re han enough sailors and marines TO man
o-4o- TWO small gunboats could well be spareu'
MORE ENLISTED MEN WANTED.
T,s = the condition to-day. Naval officers say
~, the need for more men will be greater "hen
80 ,naorro,ne construction and authorized
D., ,.a-oress are completed. Then fully 200 ado'-
iona, men will be required Even this increase
VIII permit of reserve force being kept al shoie
stations to be called upon in emergencies All "e"-
H. eor-ncd officers agree that the maintenance Vi
So = "a force is necessary. II Secretary Herbert :
-.-r,rDyne is carried out. say naval officers VINO
,.:o., IT, there will be enough men to draw upon
z shtrs Kent in commission. but no crews VIII be
. ..v.hls for the reserve vessels when contlh-
r. noes arise requiring their presence win 'he
I'VE feet. They assume. what Is OF course i"r'
49,. m Increase. in the enlisted branch VIII be
.i..5 - Congress with number OF ships out OF
commission.
1.~.re j. widespread regret among ofhcers tna'
,s, reform" proposed by Mr.. Herbert should be
,,,derfaken when only few years nave elapsed
since the work Of upbuildine the Nee began. me
e.c-e,arv's mistake is said TO be rac'abe 10 an
honest desire to bring about economy IN naval ad-
,,is,r,,ion In attempting this he seems 70 be
,-,i,. 10 get around a dficulty in the wrong way.
,..ording TO naval officers one of his IDEAS IN
LAYING ND battle-ships. monitors ana commerce-de-
s.rovers is TO prevent wear ana tear 10 lessen ''e
quantity OF coal and other supplies consumed ana
n secure more men for cruising vessels Oncers
GOV hat economy in public affairs is advisable
.lwavs I'M, that u would be wiser Tor the oe'rt-
,srv of the Navy and more advantageous to the
a.. . no would - Congress do the worrying
abou. naval expenses. Congress has not yet com
, palned that the Navy is too costly, ana oihceiS
believe II TO be a mistake for Mr.. Herbert TO star,
the cry OF economy at this stage OF the Work OIL
building UP the Navy.
HIGH OFFICIALS ARGUMENT.
One ~ the secretary's critics. Officer OF high
rank said to-day: 1T Is good policy ior country
having an enormous feet. such as England 10
maintain reserve sQuadrons at various shore sta
lions The United States has smaH meet even
shin Of which IS needed in commission. Inc es-
labishment OF a reserve line of vessels Dy H. may
be English but it Will not MAKE 'he ""'"u' -.
ships or men any larger. Practical men VIII ''''
YOU that ships are best cared for Wheh III S'iN'7'
Thor houers wear out in cruising. OF course Du.
the ships are paying for thernse YES LOOKING n Gu,
for ,he Interests of the country. Laying 'heh w
is resnv .xtraVagance I'm the long run a serious
objection 10 The Secretary's plan Is mat us aIPP
lion will result in an erroneous lued SPI V"u t.
,h,o,',s 80. on,,r,r 20 thaf We now have more Snip
and men than We need When that idea pee i ,I.
genera Congress- win turn deaf ear to an APP
neais for ir,r..e.., in material and personnel
am strongly Of the opinion that the secrearY 1rn
In inangnratinp fhe now policy he prOpOseS Witt