The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-03
THE NAvY'S IDEA
Of THE TRANSPORTS.
THINKS THAT THEY SHOULD BE
UNDER NAVAL CONTROL.
Admiral Sampson Suggested the
Adoption of the English system
on the subject in the Early stages
of the War, and His Suggestion
Was Iudorsed by the Navy De-
artment-FavOrabie Comments.

WASHINGTON, Oct 2s-Now that
question has arisen as 10 the best method
Of providing All efficient system OF trans
portatlon By sea for the army, II may be
OF Interest 10 note what the view OF the
navy department has been all along IN
this matter. The attention OF the depart
ment was called by Admiral Sampson At
an carly stage to the defects OF the trans
port system, as revealed IN the departure
from Tampa Of the Shafter expedition ard
the delays In the landing At Baiquiri, CUBA.
The action ef the navy department at thls
time Is shown by the following memo
randum, prepared by Capt. Dickens, who
was at the time acting as chief Of the nav
igatiou bureau in the temporary absence
OF Capt. Crowninshseid:
bureau OF Navigation. July 2.
Memorandum for the chief OF the bu-
reau of navigation:
"Sir; The following cablegram was re-
ceived today from Rear Admiral William
T. Sampson. L. S. N. commanding North
Atlantic fleet:
In view Of the close relations OF the
army and navy which must exist In sucn
operations as the present, and 10 avoid
friction. specific regulations governing the
combined action OF the two services are
necessary I would recommend the adop-
ton a; once OF the English regulations on
this subject including transport service,
which exist IN full detail Their expert
sncc has been far larger than that OF any
other power. and | think their methods
would be perfectly adaptable 'o ourselves.
II their regulations for combined action
are not in the department. would suggest
asking for them al once, through cur ma
val attache.
In looking up information covering the
~obtect Of the above ca5iegram, / am not
ahle "a ina in the office Of the naval IN
teIAgence any publication relating 10 the
regulations covering the combined action
ot me two services. In consequence or
this | would suggest that a cab2egTafu De
al once sent To the naval attache at Lon
don To forward these regulations 10 the de-
partmant, IL possible 10 10 so- from the
'oueen's Regulations and Adsniraity IN
structtous for the Government Of Her Maj
esty's Naval Service. fSs3,' II Is evident that
the transport service is IN charge OF the
naval branch of their government. On
page i7a. under chapter 70. article 1853. II
states as follows;
Whenever any o, her maiesiy's land
forces shall ne embarked as passengers in
any of her rlaiesty's ships. the Officers and
soldiers from the time OF emoarka,ioa.
shah strictly observe the laws and regu!a-
lions established for the government and
S{Sc.plire OF her u1aiesty'S navy. and fer
these purposes shall be under command OF
the commanding officer of the ship. as ~e!!
As Of :t.e scrior naval officer present. and
4. military officers and other persons. un-
s-r the equivalent rank ~ captain Il ".
taking passage and alt military officers n
actual command fer the time being ot any
o. the tr,og-z embarked through whom Or
tfers To the troops tgiveu by Tie officer OF
the watch} are required 20 pass. shall -
uafer The command Of the officer OF TIE
watch
This shows conc]nslvely. think. that
ire transport service Is eutIrely 81 the
bands q the naval establishment 1ais
art!eie is followed ny several othsrs. giving
detailed Instructions.
In advance ~ receiving the regulations
t,excr.ns the combined action OF the two
forces. K might - eoos plan after 1ps
.>arls..l citation 2Dd arrangement ~sth the wsr
department IL make \ beginning by fo.~
l9ssinx tee English regulations so far Sc
,hsy aociv 70 trauS9or; service. as they
could. IN ali prooa rllsty, 5a made easily
adaptable t0 our &c. and also t5r the
reason aS Admiral Sampson sta;es thai
tt9e fS>4slsn experience has 5sen far longer
t~aa tSa' e SIS ether power. The Tegu3a-
tiers czvertrg fhese matters are. az cuurSe
-h- rASlft q exr4tsscrce ana 0f many active
operations covering long period o. years
ard for that reason al0sse would I ,asnk
- safe 70 fellow and whica. Or course,
could t~a modified fran g!Ene 30 .lrs. when
arrllts ~ oar service Is experience night
s.3-IAte-
VERY respectfully.
= ", DICKENS.
cAsx.sIs C..ss cs bg.ss2ts