People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-09-08

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will be incurred under the head of Increase
of the Navy" to July list, 1896, for construc-
ton and machinery upon vessels already
authorized.
5. On February 2, 1895, the records show
$500 enlisted men in the Navy. Men are be-
ing enlisted each day; more than the 40 short
of the quota are needed to supply full crew
to the Olympia, commissioned on the 9Th in
slant.
In your message you only ask for the est
mated cost OF the armament of the three new
battle ships, and in consequence have not
included in the above estimate anything for
the hull armor of the vessels in question.
The estimate for armament (7,215,00o) does
include, however, the sum Of S3,O15, 900 for
armor known as gun protection" which.
according to decision of the Attorney Cen
eral, comes under the term armament" and
as the estimate for the hull armor for the
three battle ships is 81 ,911 900. the total es-
timated cost for armor and armament for the
three vessels is SO, l. 900.
Very Respectfully,
HILARY A. HERBERT, Secretary
| Hon. JOSEPH SAVERS,
Chairman Committee on Appropriations
House of Representatives,
Mr.. Simpson. Now, Mr.. Chairman,
this bill provides that these battle
ships shall not cost, exclusive Of arm
anent," more than 100000 each. The
letter just read discloses the fact that
the cost Of the armor will be $4,000, 900
and more, making, as have stated, an
increased cost eventually for the con.
struction of these ships and the torpedo
boats Of more than S23,OOO,OOO.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, it is worth
while, perhaps, to consider whether it
is absolutely necessary to have these
battle ships constructed. Does the
history of naval warfare warrant us in
going on and constructing these enor,
nous ironClad battle ships? 1t is very
grave question among those who are
best informed on naval affairs whether
the battle ships have come up TO the
expectations of the people as a means
OF defense.
The history of recent years, and es.
pecially the last year, has developed
the fact that they have not proved
equal to the fast cruisers. In the late
contest between China and Japan the
fact has been developed, at the battle
of Yulu River, that the unarmored
cruiser of Japan was more than equal
to the two great battle ships that China
had in line during that contest. The
vessels of China had the superior arm
anent both in regard to the thickness Of
armor plate and weight of artillery, yet
the swift unarmored cruiser of Japan,
with rapid-fring guns, proved to he
more than a match for the great battle
ships. Mr.. Herbert, the honorable
Secretary of the Navy, in an article in
the North American Review Of last
November, says:
Judging from what we see in the news
papers, the fight of the Yulu River seems tc
have created somewhat widespread impress
sion that they are, and that the naval battle:
of the future are to be, won by swift, unarm
ored cruisers. armed with powerful guns anc
fighting at long range.
Recent events have developed thu
fact that this was correct prophecy
| quote from the Scientific American
OF this morning an account OF the sink
ing of those two remaining battle ship;
belonging to China by torpedo boats
proving that such war vessels are not 8
match either for the cruisers or for the
/ torpedo boats.
1t reads as follows;
The majorIpart of the Chinese navy, inelud
ing the two principal ironclads, the Ting
Yuen and Chen-Yuen, has almost been des
troyed. They were both engaged in the grea
battle at the mouth of the Yulu River, from
which they escaped only to be sunk at Wei
Hai-Wei, after about ten days almost contin
uous fighting, by the torpedos sent agans
them by the Japanese. They were sister ships
and the most powerful vessels in either tn,
Japanese or Chinese service, each having
: displacement of over 1000 tons and belteC
J 14-inch steel compound arnor. 1t is reported
that the Chinese torpedo fleet subsequent,
attempted to escape from the harbor on Feb
/ ruary z, bnt that they were pursued by fly
ing squadron of Japanese vessels and twelv
ofthem either sunk or driven ashore.
That, Mr.. Chairman, proves beyond
dispute, think, that they have no
! come up to the expectations which
! we're INDUCED in as means Of defense
The little tordedo boats and swift arm
I ored cruisers are more than a mattel
for these enormous battle ships, will
T their unwieldy bulk and enormou
! draft. 1--WE.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois. II the gentle
> man will permit me-does he conside
e the instance given there as a fair test
when he recalls at the same time til,
extent Of the Chinese Empire and tn,