New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-26
THE RECORD 0FTHE NAVY
HOW AMERICAN SAILORS MET
THE SUPREME TEST OF WAR.
OPERATIONS REVIEWED BY SECRETARY
LONG IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT-NEW
CONSTRUCTION AND LEGISLATION
RECOMMENDED.

reference 10 the brilliant conduct OF the first
campaign Of the new Navy, moderate but strong
n its recognition OF high credit due to the ex-
istng system. which was so recently put TO the
supreme test and convincing in Its conserva-
tive view Of future naval necessities, such as
was TO be expected from the ripe public servant
who has so long enjoyed the unquestioning con-
ddence and frank admiration Of the people.
With an impartial sense of the historians
deep responsibility IN dealing with matters
which from their very nature could not be
popularity known during the progress OF hos
Titles. Secretary Long gives a succinct nara
tive of the principal military operations afioat
from the destruction Of the Maine to the sign
Ing Of the peace protocol presenting the simple
truth wholly without comment but In such a
manner that can fail to draw the right
ful conclusions. especially regarding the I'M
portant incident Of Cerveras 'bottling up" the
subsequent destruction OF his squadron and the
cooperation Of Army and Navy which brought
about the surrender Of Santiago Province.
Secretary Longs most important recommended
lions relate to the homogeneous increase or the
Navy by the simultaneous. and not independent
development Of ships. officers. men. repair plants
and coaling stations. etc He adopts the naval
construction programme which was published
In The Tribune a month ago. embracing the
are sea-g going battle-ships of 1850 tons; three
are 12OOO-ton armored cruisers. uneQualled for
speed and offence by any vessels afoat: three
6OOO-ton protected cruisers. similar to the
OLYMPIA and six . .500-ton cruisers Of the Mont
gomery type. with unprecedented radius OF ac-
ton-all these vessels to be sheathed and cop
pered to make them as far as possible inde-
pendent Of the meagre docking facilities which
have been so humiliating to the Navy.
The revival OF the grades of Admiral and Vice
Admiral is urged. The now indispensable re-
organization Of the Navy personnel as contem-
plated by the bill already under Congressional
consideration is vigorously supported An IN
rrease OF the number Of enlisted men to twenty
thousand is shown 10 be essential Congress is
asked to put the transport service under naval
control. where IT properly belongs, and Secre-
tary Long. with a lawyers insight pleads for
the establishment Of a Judge-Advocate Corps
In the Navy similar TO that existing In the
Army 10 replace the present anomalous conduct
Of naval legal affairs.
4 feature Of the report is the presentation OF
accounts to show how economically the Navy mas
been administered in period when nasty eX-
penditures could not be avoided From this II
appears that more than S23.OOOOtO OF the Ma
tional defence fund allotted 10 the Navy De
partment will revert 10 the Treasury on Jahu-
airy !.
FULL ABSTRACT OF THE REPORT.
In beginning his report. Secretary Long says
Since my last annual report the Navy Has
for the first time since Its rehaplIltatIo", ~
nut to the supreme test OF war Years Oh pa
tient persistent training and development Hap
brought II 10 a point Of high efhclehcy' Mnl E
resulted in the unparalleled victories al Man
and Santiago-victores which have given the
names Of our naval commanders WOilu WIZ
fame. and added an additional page 10 'iie sio''-
Gus naval history OF our country.
THE BLOWING Up OF THE MAINE.
Mr. Long recites the naval dispositions In the
early part OF the year. the interception on Jahu-
airy II Of the gunboat Helena under ORDERS 10
Join the Asiatic squadron the bringing Of the
Cincinnati and the Castine from Montevideo 10
Para. on the north coast Of Brazil, and the blow
ing I'D of the Maine in Havana harbor The
'iudicious telegram" OF Captain Sgsbee. re-
uuesting that public opinion should be suspend
ed is given. and the appointment Of the Board
OF INQUIRY is recorded. Concerning the report
OF that Board the Secretary says:
After an exhaustive examination of the wreck,
and after taking the testimony Of witnesses ana
of experts the Board reported on March Il that
the Maine had been destroyed by the explosion
OF a submarine mine but that IL was uiidpie ~
fix the responsibility upon any person or PER
SONS IL was evident that the cause or the
disaster must have been from the OUTSIDE
The report then continues:
In the mean time. the commander ln-chlef OF
the European station was instructed 70 attach
the Albany and the New Oreans-then pur-
chased in England Of the Brazilian Government
to his command. and bring the latter the other
being unfinished. 10 the United states. Inc
commander-in-chie of the Aslatlc squadron
was ordered TO assemble his squadron at Hong
Kong The Olympia, under orders at that tune
20 san Francisco was retained on the ASld.lS
station The Oregon ordered 70 proceed
from Bremerton Wash. to San Francisco. and
prepare for a long voyage
commanders III chief of stations were ordered
10 husband ammunition and Keep their vessels
filled with the best coal obtalnabie. Enlist
mems even in excess of the established quota,
were ordered. 10 fill the complements Or men
sor tho columbia the Minneapolis, the Man
tonornoh and other vessels. The North Atlantic
feet was greatly strengt hened ana vessels We're
concentrated in the neighborhood OF Key West
Tha EIvine SQUADRON was organized. under com
nand of Commodore w. 5. Schley, ana stationed
al Fortress Monroe, for the protection OF any
point the coast "hIch H'lsH' NC 'i'''"eU ~
q Spanish feet.
STRENGTHENING THE FORCE.
m March O Congress passed the Emergency
b{u sr1ropriating $JO.0OO.OOO for National de-
fence and the Department at once look sIeps
10 secure auxiliary vessels On MaTch i d
Board was appointed and directed 10 idhe d
tIoronqh examination Of such vessels as might
he desirable for purchase. Purchases were ihaue
,,non the recommendation OF the Board' me yes
sells bought were at once sent 10 me ulleIeht
rayy Yards and private yards: the changes
necessary TO fit them for naval purposes "ers
rushed forward with the utmost uIspdtcn; anu u
-, nrrcbase Of ammunition. guns and all
ciasses Of naval war material went rapidly on.
The commander in chief Of the Asiatlc sLatoh
and the commander -in-chlef OF me Noilm
S.,a s,a+ion had been engaged in Thoroughly
preparing the units Of their commands ior me
lest Of war The squadron, ships oflcers ana
crews were in admirable condtloh anu TaiiIns'
go 80, Tor months engaged In tactical manu-u-
xres and gunnery practice. and were strength
ened by the addition of the auxilary Vess 'hs
.s ranidlv as converted. The bureaus OF the
Esnsrtrnent had. by wise forethought prepared
them with every facility in the way OF men men
supplies ammunition. Information ana , NV,
a. 'aarIv &C Ap-il 10. four weeks before