The Portland daily press., 1898-05-24
OUR FUTURE NAVY.

new YORK journal or commerce.
Spain occupies only fifth rate position
among the naval powers, and yet our ex-
perience already demonstrates that we
have no more vessel than are needfuI to
deal with her small navy. Had our quar-
rel been with France or Germany, or
Russia, to say nothing Of the ''mistress of
the seas" we should find ourselves in a
hopeless position and compelled to accept
the enepay's terms. If we are to have p
navy at all it needs to be one capable of
meeting other fleets than merely those of
the petty States of Europe AS we must
count upon the chances of having in flu.
ture to protect our interests against the
powers that are bent upon advancing
commerce upon crusade methods, the
measure of our sea force must bear. some
competent proportion to the naval equip
ments Of the distinctively belligerent ma
lions. This is the more urgent because
all the signs of the times are indicating
that the future distribution and control
OF the worlds commerce is to be deter.
mined by force. If that stupendous ca
taEtrophe is to be averted,- it can only be
through the pacific powers putting them
selves in position to restrain the ambi-
tions of the military powers. No justifi-
cation can be given for delaying the prep
arations. Our success in this war must
rot be allowed to blind us to the import
anoe OF proper preparation during peace.
In view of these necessities, it is graft
flying that Congress has made good
start III the recent naval appropriation
bill. What needs to be done is, first of
all, tn form definite programme of what
we Intend the navy to be, and then spread
its building over moderate period, say
nve Or SIX years, assuring to us at the
end such q feet as would make us perfect
" secure against attack by any naval
power.
In former days the naval problem was
much simpler than 1t Is now. Then it
was mainly to get at the anemy's ships
and conquer them. Coal expenditure and
repairs to machinery were unknown.
Everything was so simple that it could
hardly get out Of order. Now, the ques.
zion OF coal, fresh water for boilers, speed
loi making repairs, docking facilities,
ETC., ere Of prime Importance. The guns
nave beooIne elaborate machines, and, in
tpe bhttleships, defect in the turret-
turning machinery might render the huge
guns useless. All Of this means o much
more highly trained personnel, and
careful study Of all the details of the
problem" for a successful naval cam.
paign is now a most intricate problem.
me Naval War College has been doing
excellent work in very quiet way to this
desired need. For the past six or eight
years number Of officers have spent sew
eral months each year at Newport study.
ing al these problems OF naval strategy
ana tactics. not only in general way,
PIT with specific application to the de-
tense or all parts of our own coasts. Ey-
cry point involved has been carefully con-
fldered, and as result our officers are
not oolpe their work by chance, but as
part OF carefully planned campaign.
For example, the converted American
liners, which are believed to be s.scent-
ing to get the first news of the approach
Oh spanish ships, are not wandering aim
iessly about the ocean on the chance of
seeing something, but are following def.
niue routes so arranged as to give the
greatest probability Of detecting the enc
my.
We may thus feel sure that nothing is
Delng left to chance that the most highly
9ralned Intelligence can foresee. Our fleet
~ more numerous and powerful than that
OF the enemy, and is in excellent condi
zion; the morale Of officers and men is
nigh, and We may reasonably expect that
success which we have done eYeryth
to deserve.