Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-17
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the sar1lEsnIp TEXAS.
Secretary Herbert and Mt. Cramp on the Crit
cisms Of Newspapers.


Herbert in special report about the
battleship Texas, says: This contro-
versy about the Texas has brought out
from among naval officers who are
acquainted with the ship some very
stout defenders, among others Admiral
Brown. commandment at the Norfolk
navy yard, who knows more about her
than any one else except her captain
Some statements by Admiral Brown,
which it appears from an interview
with him, were misunderstood by the
reporters, have called forth a letter
from Chas. H. Cramp.'
Mr.. Cramp, in the letter which the
secretary quotes, says he feels COM
PEELED to reply to some extraordinary
statements concerning the Texas at
tributed to Admiral Brown. The sub
stance OF these statements is that the
troubles of the Texas are due to con-
spiracy among private ship builders to
discredit and defame her because she
was built in navy yard. Mr.. Cramp
pronounces all such statements absurd,
and says that he examined the plans
OF the Texas at Mr.. Whitney's invita-
ton and found them good. symmet-
rical and practicable. Mr.. Cramp de-
preciates public criticism and discus
sion of the construction and qualities
of naval vessels, for the reason that
they are used abroad to handicap
American industries and competition
for foreign work.
For example," he says. Lii Hung
Chang asked me Why do South Amer
lean republics go to England for their
l.,
ed to this inquiry by the Chinese gov
eminent, in consequence of the fact
that both British and German minis
tiers to China called attention to the
matter and had told the Chinese au-
thorities that it was because good
ships could not be built here. The
armor plate investigation, allegations
of defective stability and many other
published criticisms on our ships have
been paraded by the English and Ger
mans in Japan China and Russia, and
their substance translated and printed
in newspapers there to our prejudice.
Far more serious faults prevail in
other navieS, but they are never known
to the public, because it is the policy
to prevent ill-judged or misconceived
criticism of such affairs. This policy
is sound, because whatever may be the
faults or defects, they cannot be made
good by printers ink. conviction
which l am sure you share with me-
In regard to Mr.. Cramps letter. Secre-
tary Herbert says: II especially desire
to call attention to what Mr.. Cramp says
in his letter about the effect in foreign
countries of the very frequent criticism
upon American ships by portion of the
American press. | have. direct informa-
ton. from sources other than Mr..
Cramps letter which bears out his state
ments. Both China and Japan are build
ing navies. Our shipbuilders naturally
desire the custom of these two countries.
l am credbly informed that certain
shipbuilders Of other countries. who Were
competing. last spring with American
shipbuilders for contracts with the Jap
anese government, had collected Il large
number of very sharp criticisms of
American ships and put them all in ar
ray ~before the japanese authorities for
the purpose of showing that We do not
know how to build ships in this country.
generally loyal to the navy and largely
instrumental in its successful upbuilding
and developments. and its services in this
direction cannot be too heartily acknowl-
edged. | submit Mr.. Cramps letter. for
the purpose of pointing out to some OF
our newspaper friends the uniftentional
injuries to American interests liable to
result from charging upon minor mis-
takes that may have been committed
even though at other times fun credit be
given for great and substantial successes
attained.
IN making this statement, let me say
that | don't intend to be drawn into a
controversy about the Texas. | only
wish to put the public in possession of
the most important facts about this ship
and / certainly dc not deny the right or
duty of the press to criticize naval meth
DDS. The department has at some times
even had its attention proftably directed
to points in naval administration that
might otherwise in the routine of bust
ness have escaped attention. and whether
it adopts them or not. it always welcomes
suggestions which are meant to be, as
most of them are. in the interests of the
navy.