Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-01
lAV1 UyEZCELLED.
The Secretary Of the Navy Makes
II, Report On Our Seamen.
1lE STORY OF DEWEY'S VICTORY.
ne blockade Of santiago High Praise
Awarded to tho Marine C0rW-The
Naval Militia - kquipment
Bureau Conpllmsntsd.

Awarded to tho Marine Corps-The
Naval Militia - kquipment
Bursau Csnpllmsntsd.
Washington, Nov. 26.-The annual
report Of the secretary Of the navy Is
much longer than the usual annual
report The frst sentence explains
this as follows:
For the first time since It's rehabilitation the
navy hos been put to the supreme test OF war.
Years OF patient, persistent training and de-
velopment have brought 1t TO point Of high
e1lciency which resulted In the unparalleled
Victories at Manila and Santiago-vlctorie
which have given the names Of our naval com
nanders worldwide fame and added On addi-
Nonsl page TO the glorious naval history OF our
spuntry.
The report describes in rapid order
the steps that we're taken to CONSOLE
date the squadrons and put the navy
In readiness for hostilties. Sigsbce's
famous telegram asking suspension
Of public opinion in connection with
the blowing up Of the Maine is quoted
and the secretary says: This judi
eious telegram did much to secure in
the public mind q dispassionate view
Of the disaster"
The story Of Dewey's victory at Ma
ails 10 told, and of 1t the secretary
says:
Aside from the mere fact Of having won
without the loss Of u single life, such brill
liant and electrlfying victory Ut the very outset
Of the war, with oil tbs confidence which II In
fused throughout the country and into the
persOnnel Of every branch Of the service, 1t re-
moved OF once oil approximations for the Paclfc
coast The indirect pecuniary advantage to
the United States In the way OF saving an In
crease OF insurance rates ind In assuring the
sountry freedom from attack on that coast Is
incalculable.
One fact disclosed by the history OF
the days before the surrender of San
tisgo 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.
6hsfter replied that he should be glad
TO have Sampson represented, but the
surrender took place before his repre-
sentative could reach the camp. Ad-
niral SIMPSONS chief of staff did
arrive before the final articles were
signed. but Shafter declined to permit
him TO be one OF the signatores.
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 exhilarati0n Of combat Many
devoted officers and crews from the
beginning Of the war till the end rem.
dsred most valuable and conscientious
service without opportunity for win.
ming distinction in battle. High praise
b awarded the marine corps for their
work throughout the campaign.
In view Of the prospective increase
n the navy and the necessity Of guard
In the naval stations which will DO
needed In the newly-acquired territory
q the United States and especially In
view Of the general efficiency displayed
by this corps the secretary says that 1t
should be increased to 5000 men, with
he necessary officers.
Touching upon the naval militia,
Secretary Long says those organiza-
tons were largely recruited outside
1t the seafaring class and lacked the
experience In gunnery, navigation and
tho habits Of the sea which are essen
tisl 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 10 the officers and
men connected with the auxiliary
naval force and the coast signal serv-
Ice. Secretary Long gives complete
list Of all the merchant vessels and