The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-12-02
NAVY UNEXCELLED.
The Secretary of the Navy Makes
His Report on Our Seamen.
THE STORY OF DEWEY'S VICTORY.
The Blockade OF santiaeo-High Praise
Awarded to the Marine Coros-The
Naval Militia Equipment
Bureau Complimented.


Bureau Complimented.
Washington, Nov 26.-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 to the supreme test OF war
| Years OF patient, persistent training and de-
velopment have brought II to point of high
efficiency which resulted In the unparalleled
victories at Manila and Santiago-vctorles
| which have given the names Of our naval COM
manders Worldwide fame and added an addi-
tional page to the glorious naval history OF our
country.
The report describes in rapid order
the steps that were taken to CONSOLE
date the squadrons ami 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 dispassionate view
of the disaster"
The story of Dewev'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 a brill
liant and electrifying victory at the very outset
of the war; with all ths confidence which IL in
| fused throughout the country and into the
personnel OF every branch of the service. 1t re-
moved ut once all apprehensions for the Pacific
| coast The indirect pecuniary advantage to
the United states in the way OF saving an in
| crease OF insurance rates and in assuring the
country freedom from attack that coast is
incalculable.
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-
sen tative. could reach the camp. Ad-
miral SIMPSONS chief Of staff did
arrive before the hnar 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 aud 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 tho naval stations which will 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 1000 men, with
the necessary officers.
Touching upon the naval militia,
Secretary Long says those organiza-
tions were largely recruited outside
of the seafaring class and lacked the
experience in gunnery, 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 lSnowl-
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 IA 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 40 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, aud 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, 55l tons
being bought at cost of 81, 122, 900.