The Mena star., 1898-11-30
WORDS OF PRAISE.
Secretary Long Tells of the Accom- plishments of American Navy.
He Says That 5000 Additional seamen Should Be Provided-Post Master Gen. eral smiths Report in Regard to
 Uncle sam's Mall Service.


 much longer than the usual annual report The first sentence explains
 this as follows:
 For the first time since it's rehabilitation the navy has been put to the supreme test of war Years of patient persistent training and de- yeiopanent have brought it to point of high efficiency which resulted in the unparalleled victories at Manila and Santiago-victories which have given the names of our naval com manders worldwide fame and added an addA tional page to the glorious naval history of our country.
 The report describes in rapid order the steps that were taken to consoli- date the squadrons and put the navy in readiness for hostilities. Sgsbce 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 a dispassionate view of the disaster"
 The story of Dewey's victory at Ma nila is told, and of it the secretary says:
 Aside from the mere fact of having won without the loss of single life, such bril- liant and electrifying victory at the very outset Dl the war, Wltn 1il the commence Wnlcn 1t ln- fused throughout the country and into the personnel of every branch of the service. it re- moved at once all apprehensions for the Pacific coast The indirect pecuuiary advantage to the United States in the way of saving an in- crease of insurance rates and in assuring the country freedom from attack on that coast is fncalculable
 A brief chapter in the report tells of the operations of the blockade. It is said that this was of an extremely ar dnous character, generally unrelieved by the collaboration of combat. Many devoted officers and 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 the naval stations which will be 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 5, eco men, " ith the necessary officers
 Touching upon the naval militia, Secretary Long says those organiza- Hions were largely recruited outside of the seafaring class and lacked the experience in gunnery, navigation and the habits of the sea which are essen fial 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 to the officers and men connected with the auxiliary naval force and the coast signal serv- ice.
 The Postmaster Generals Report.
 Washington, Nov. 27.-The most in- teresting view of the postal service for some years, owing to it's operations in military and naval fields is the report of Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith. Aside from the discussion of the regular branches of the depart ment it tells of the work accomplished and policies adopted in our territorial acquisitions. The postmaster general says:
 a postal service and prompt measures were re- ,duired for handling the mails of an army of 250. coo men Large post offices were suddenly created at the camps of concentration, the ex- igencies of constant changes and movements were met, and the military and naval forces on active services in the West Indies and Philip pines had prompt and constant postal com 'munieation with home These military post offices were clothed with all postal powers Some of the larger camps increased their vol nme of postal business to that of cities of high rank.
 Postmaster Smith calls attention to the rapid and amazing growth of the postal business in all its branches. In the last fiscal year the gross reve- nueewas Ss9, 0le,6ls, against 3S,3.5 479 in 1880, and the gross expenditure S9S, ,033, ,523, against $36, 542, S04; the number of post offices, 73, 900, against A3,000. Within this period the pop ulation has increased about 30 per cent, while postal business has multiplied nearly threefold. The general increase of expenditures for the past year has been little more than the preceding one, despite the fact that nearly $1,000 900 earned in mail transportation by the aided Pacific railroad companies was paid this year directly out of the department appro- priations. There was an increase in postal receipts of nearly S6. 800, 900 over the aggregate of 1897, which is cited as proof that the country is again prosperous
 Discussing rural free delivery, the postmaster general says replies to cir culars sent out surpest some assurance