The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-12-01
WORK or THE NAVY.
Secretary Long Presents His Report
Makes an interesting Record
Wants q Bigger Navy.

Secretary Long Presents His Report
Makes an interesting Record
Wants a Bigger Navy. 80.
Washington, Nov. 26.-The annual report
Of the secretary eff 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 to the supreme test Il
war. Years of patient, persistent training
and development had brought it to a point
OF high efficiency, which resulted in the un-
paralleled victories at Manila and Santi-
ago-victories which have given the names
OF our naval commanders worldwide fame
and added an additional page to the glo-
rious naval history of our country"
The report describes in rapid order the
steps that were taken to consolidate the
squadrons and put the navy in readiness
for hostilities. Sigsbee's famous telegram
asking suspension of public opinion in
connection with the blowing up of the
Maine is quoted. and the secretary says:
This tudicious telegram did much to Sc
cure in the public mind dispassionate
view Of the disaster"
The story of Dewey's victory at Manila
Is told, and of it the secretary'says: aside
from the mere fact Of having won with
out the loss of single life such brilliant
and electrifying victory at the very out
set OF the war, with all the confidence
which 1t infused throughout the country
and into the personnel Of every branch Of
the service. 1t removed at once all appre-
hension for the Pacific coast. The indirect
pecuniary advantage to the United States
IN the way of saving an increase Of insur-
ance rates and in assuring the country Of
freedom from attack on that coast Is IN
calculable.''
The secretary tells how Cervera's fleet,
having sailed from Cape Verde islands April
20 for an unknown destination Sampson
sailed east with portion of his fleet for tho
purpose OF observation. At Cape Haitien
May the department was advised that he
Spanish squadron was reported at St.
Thomas. The following statement explains
officially why the bombardment of San
Juan was not forced to an end: "Instruc-
lions were also received that the vessels
accompanying him were not to be risked
or crippled in the bombardment Of fortifica-
tions, as it was considered unwise to risk
any of the vessels of our navy until the
Spanish fleets had been met and DESTROYED.
The squadron did not arrive off San
Juan until the morning Of the 18TH A BON.
bardment of that place followed for two
hours and half, but as there was no land
force to hold 1t in case of its surrender md
as the Spanish fleet was not there it was de-
termlned to return to Havana, where it was
possible Cervera might have gone::'
The report shows that the flying squadron
under Schley was ordered to Cienfuegos
upon notice that Cerveras squadron had
been seen off Curacao. The report then
gives considera bic length to the instruc-
tons sent to Sampson and Schley and the
various movements Of the squadron until
the moment the Spanish fleet was DESTROYED
in Santiago harbor.
On June % the Merrimac was sunk, and
OF THIS the secretary "Thic - pt
although unsuccessful in its object, was
darlngly executed. 1t is now one of the
Weu-known historic marvels of naval ad-
venture and enterprise in which Naval Con.
structor Hobson and his men won undyi:s
fame"
The report deals next with the seizure
OF the harbor of Guantanamo and the ral-
liant three-days' fight of the marines; with
the conveying Of the Shafter expedition
from Tampa to Santiago and with the con-
ferences that took place between Shafter
and Sampson in the effort to secure the CO.
operation OF the army and navy in the re-
duction of Santiago. The story of the 3D.
erations at this stage involves the recital
Of the destruction Of the Spanish feet.
which is told. however, in the most concise
official form.
The secretary. In summing up the work
imposed upon the department in its vast
ness, says that the country as we'll as the
service has cause for congrat ulations IN
the results which have followed and which
have been so generally approved, and in he
further fact that no personal feeling has
arisen to mar the glorious victories and
magnificent work of the service. The Sec
rotary compliments the equipment bureau
for the satisfactory manner in which. not
Wlthstandlng the many difficulties which
developed, in providing coal for the fleets
The largest single item of expenditure was
for the purchase of coal-52, 551 tons being
bought, at cost of $2,122, 900.
The secretary includes in his report q
short and ~onclse statement, under SEN
arate heads, Of the operations of each If
the bureaus of the department, and sub-
mits estimates for the next fiscal year az
gregating 81, 09S,2 Psi, which is an increase Of
$9:SG9,173 over the appropriations for 1899 md
contains new items aggregati ting 81, O27. Ss4
or these new items the most important Is
$4.729,S99 for yards and docks. There is also
an item of $1,62O,O00 Oh account OF the naval
academy.
In reference to the workings of the sys-
tenn Of labor employment at navy Yards.
which is said to have been severely tested
during the war, the secretary says that in
continuation u the policy of giving prefer
ence in appointment to veterans Of The civil,
war, he proposes to give the preference now
to the persons who served during the Span
1sh-Amerlcan war, rating as first those
who served IN foreign waters or on foreign
SoAA' anu A0AI ~ IuOSc VIII served IN the
United States or its waters, providing they
have had honorable discharges.
The secretary indorces the recommended
ton OF the navigation bureau authorizing
the increase whenever necessary Of the
enlisted force to 10000 men and of the an
prent1ces to $500. The most important chap
ter Of the report is that relating to the in
crease or the navy, and under this head
the secretary transmits and indorses the
report of the naval board of bureau chiefs
looking to the increase Of the navy by no
less than Is ships, some of the most power
full character. The secretary says: The
navy should be increased; the DEVELOPMENT
OF Its various branches should be homo
genous, and the increase in ships should
be accompanied by a gradual increase in
officers and men and in naval stations, coal
Ing stations, repair plants, etc. With The
territorial acquisitions of the present wear
it the Philippines are also annexed to :he
United States, It's outlying territorial ,cs
sessions Will be so great end so extended
that this increase of naval force will be
necessary
In conclusion the report pays a high COIN
pllment to the naval war board, COMPOSED
of Admiral Sicard, Capt. Crownins HELD and
Capt. Mahan, saying it was equal to cvery
demand, enabled the department to cont: oil
movements on the water, yet left ample
discretion to commanding officers CHARGED
with delicate and important duties, the
department il not aware that the board
committed single error.
WANTS OF LABOR.