The herald., 1898-11-27
WORK DONE BY The NAVY
PENDING AND DURING THE WAR
WITH SPAIN
accommodation Looking to the I'm
provement of the Fleet and
Men to Work It

WASHINGTON, Nov 26.-Secretary OF
the Navy Long in his annual report devotes
much space to the war with Spain, paying
high tribute to the officers and men, in
Guiding the marine corps. The naval militia
is also honorably mentioned. The number OF
enlisted men in the navy was increased from
l2,500 to 24,l23 to equip the fighting ships
after they were augmented by 10 auxiliar
les.
Upon the declaration of war, 225 retired
officers were assigned to active duty, OF
which 9S are still serving; up to September
| oath, Sj6 officers for temporary service were
made; POI candidates who passed required
examinations were not appointed by reason
of their services not being required; up t.
and including November 18th, 5l3 appoint
ments have been vacated by reason of death,
honorable discharge, promotion, resignation
and other causes.
| The bill for the appropriation OF S5OO,0O
for new buildings and improvements at the
| Naval Academy is noted, and the appoint
ment of board to report course OF lnstruc-
ton in naval construction. The Bureau of
| Ordnance next comes in for attention, and
the report says that during the past year
| ll2 guns of various calibers, from 4 to l3-
! inch, have been completed at the naval gun
factory, viz, sixteen 4-inch, fifty-tour 5-inch,
twenty-nine 6-inch. one Pinch and twelve
l3-inch Thirty-three 6inch and two S-inch
guns of ordinary type have been converted
into rapid-firing guns. Twenty finch guns
and mounts under contracts with private
firms have also been completed, and seven
teen others partly completed
Special note is made of the fact that of the
S299l3, 2l4.22 allotted to the department
from the $50,000, 900 appropriation in March
for national Defense >Gl8,447.l7 is re-
ported as not obligated, and will revert to
the treasury January |, 1899. OF the appro-
priations of Sl0000,000 in June and Sl5, 5,0OO,-
600 in July for an emergency fund. there has
been allotted S3,l6S, ,S65.l9 OF this amount
$i07 ,63l .26 has not been obligated, leaving
balance November 10Th of sd ,423 SOB 55.
which it is expected will revert to the treas.
ury January |, 1899.
the necessity of establishing a national
naval reserve is presented, with the fact
that the department will submit bill to
that effect to Congress; and the creation OF
small judge advocates corps is recon-
mended. OF House bill No. TO- 4O3 the re.
port states that the department earnestly
desires its prompt attention by Congress.
4his bill provides For the amalgamation
OF the officers OF the line and the engineer
corps OF the navy; for an increase OF 80
officers in the new line; for regular and
constant flow OF promotion; for readiust-
ment OF the numbers in the different
grades OF the construction corps; for the
retirement OF officers who served creditably
during the Civil War in the next higher
grade; for a change in the title of naval
cadet to that OF midshipman; that the
course at the Naval Academy be decreased
! from SIX to four years; for the appointment
OF 100 warrant machlnists,' etc.
Referring to 1.-THE injustice of the present
system of rewarding officers for conspicuous
conduct in battle and extraordinary hero.
ISM the report recommends a change in
the present law on the subject whereby re-
Wagding one officer shall not work iniuctice
on another. Bills have been drawn in.
tended to rectty such conditions.
The revival OF the grade OF admiral and
vice-admiral is touched upon, and the need
of authority to Increase the enlisted force
whenever necessary. The necessity for an
increased navy is also advanced. with the
development OF its various branches, and
the following recommendation OF the Ma
val Board OF Construction are submitted: 4:
Three seagong sheathed and coppered
battleship9 of about 1880 tons dspace
ment; three .heathed and coppered armored
cruisers of about 10000 tons displacement
three -heathed and coppered protect ed
cruisers OF about 5000 tons Displacement :
six ,heathed and coppered cruisers of about
2500 tons trial displacement. The terri
torial acquisitions of the present year are
given as the reason for the necessity OF the
proposed increase.