The Goodland republic., 1898-12-02
WORLDWIDE FAME.
Secretary Long Diseourses on the
Strength Of the American Navy.
In Recent Months Uncle SANS seamsn
Were Put 20 the Supreme Test-Un-
Paraueisd Victories at Manila
and SantIaga-s0ms History.


and SAntIaga-soms History.
Washington, Nov. 28.-The annual
report Of the secretary Of the navy is
much longer than the usual annual
report The first sentence explains
this as follows:
For the first time since its rehabilitation the
navy has been put 70 the supreme test OF war.
Years OF patient. persistent training and de-
Felopment have brought il 70 point Of high
efficiency which resulted in the unparalleled
victories at Manila and SantiagO-TictOries
which have given the names Of our naval COM
manders wOrld-Fid fame and added an addi-
tiOnal page % the glorious naval history Of our
country.
The report describes in rapid order
the steps that were taken to consOli-
date the squadrOns and put the navy
in readiness for hOstilities- Sigsbee's
famous telegram asking a suspension
of public opinion in connection with
the blowing up OF the Maine is quoted
and the secretary says: This judi
ciOus telegram did much to secure in
the public mind a dispassionate view
Of the disaster"
The story of Dewey's victory at Ma
Mia is told, and Of it the secretary
says:
Aside from the mere fact Of having won
without the loss OF single life, such bril-
liant and electrifying victory at the very outset
Of the war, with all the confidence which II IN
fused throughout the country and into the
personnel Of every branch OF the service, it re-
moved ut once all apprehensiOns for the Pacific
coast The indirect pecunilry advantage 70
the United States in the way OF saving an in
crease OF insurance rates and in assuring the
country freedom from attack on that coast is
lncalculable
One fact disclosed by the history Of
the DAYS before the surrender of San
tiagO is that Sampson asked to be
represented in any conference held to
arrange the terms Of surrender Of San
tiagO by virtue Of the fact that he had
engaged in the joint operations
Shafter replied that he should be glad
to have Sampson represented, but the
surrender took place before his repre-
sentative could reach the camp. Ad-
miraI SampsOn's chief of staff did
arrive before the final articles were
signed, but Shafter declined to permit
him to be one Of the signatOries-
A brief chapter in the report tells Of
the operations of the blockade 1t is
said that this was of an extremely ar
duOus character, generally unrelieved
by the exhilaratiOn Of combat Many
devoted officers and crews from the
beginning OF the war till the end rem
dered most valuable and conscientious
service without opportunity for win
ming distinction In battle High praise
is awarded the marine corps for their
work throughout the campaign
In view Of the prospective increase
in the navy and the necessity of guard
ing the naval stations which viii be
needed in the newly-acquired territory
of the United States and especially in
view Of the general efficiency displayed
by this corps the secretary says that it
should be increased to ), 900 men, with
the necessary officers
Touching upon the naval militia,
Secretary Long says those Organiza-
tons were largely recruited outside
Of the seafaring class and lacked the
experience in Eunnery, navigation and
the habits of the sea which are essen
tial to immediate efficient service in
the navy. On the other hand, they
were men Of high standard OF edu-
cation and intelligence, and rapidly
acquired while on shipbOard the knOwl-
edge necessary for their efficiency.
Praise is accorded to the officers and
men connected with the auxiliary
naval force and the coast signal serv-
ice. Secretary Long gives a complete
list Of all the merchant vessels and
yachts that were acquired by lease or
purchase for the navy and in each
case shows the purchase price. There
were 10 Of these vessels, including
the warships bought abroad.
The secretary, in summing up the
work, imposed upon the department,
in its vastness, says that the country,
as well as the service, has cause for
congratulations in the results which
have followed, and which have been
so generally approved, and in the
further fact that no personal feeling
has arisen to mar the glorious victories
and magnificent work Of the service
The secretary compliments the equip
ment bureau for the satisfactory man
ner in which, Notwithstanding the
many difficulties which developed, in
providing coal for the fleets The
largest single item Of expenditure was
for the purchase Of cOal-452, 551 tons
being bought at a cost Of 8, IL, 900.