The times., 1898-11-26

Dynamite cruiser.
Torpedo boats. .-........-. II
Vessels OF old navy, including mCnItoFs..'.'. IL
AUXILIARY NAVY
Auxiliary cruisers. II
Converted yachts .--.---.-.'..-'--''--'- 20
Revenue cutters. -.-.----'.-'-.-----.--. 10
Light house tenders.
Converted tugs. Z.
Converted coiiiers-- ~
Miscellaneous. =. IL
Nothing could he palmer than that the
new position the United States has as
sumed as world power necessitates
large increase in the sea force and per-
sonneI of the navy. II is with satisfac-
tion. therefore. that we note the active
operations now in progress to that end.
Including the vessels authorized at the
last session of Congress, there are now
under construction the following:
Bsttleships (hrst-classl.. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Coast defense monitors. ..-----...---...-----.
framing Ne.sfi-
Shoathed cruiser tbuiiding in Engiand)..--'".' !
Steel tugs .-..----.'.--..-.--
Torpedo-bos destroyc7s.. ...............--.-- 10
Submarine boat. l
Total. ..............'....--'.-' %
IL is encouraging to see it stated that,
with the exception of the three battle
ships and four monitors last authorized,
every vessel in the list under construction
should be completed by the end of the
year 1900. But it is the opinion Of the de-
partment that the navy should be still
further increased Authority should be
given for 2o00D enlisted men. when neces-
sary, and to enlist apprentices to the
number OF 2.500. on August Is last the en-
listed force aggregated 2il2s men and ap-
prentices. II has fallen to 1900 or below.
Regarding war vessels. the naval board
on construction recommends the follow
ing increase:
/. Three sea going sheathed and coppered
battIeshlps of about 1850 tons trial dis
Placement carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels
OF their class. and to have the highest
practicable speed and great radius OF ac-
ton. Estimated cost. exclusive of armor
and armament S5.GC0 600 each.
> Three shesthed. and cOppered armor-
ed cruisers of about 1900 tons trial dis
placement carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels of
their class and to have the highest prac-
ticable speed and great radius of action.
Estimated cost, exclusive of armor and
armament, sLG10,eoe each
g. Three sheathed and coppered protect
ed cruisers of about 6.0ca tons trial dis
placement: to have the highest practicable
speed and great radius of action, and TO
carry the most powerful ordnance suit
able for vessels of their class. Estimated
cost exclusive of armor and armament.
50 900 each.
4. Six sheathed and coppered cruisers Of
about 800 tons trial displacement; to
have the highest speed compatible with
good cruising qualities, great radius of
action. and to carry the most powerful
ordnance suited to vesse.s of their class.
Estimated cost. exclusive of armament
81. IA. 500 ch.
With the territorial acquisitions of the
present year if the Philippines are also
annexed to the United States. its out
lying territorial possessions will be so
great and so extended that this increase
of naval force will be necessary. and as
two or three years will be required FOR
the construction of the ships enumerated
appropriations sufficient for beginning
them should be made now. Otherwise the
authorization of the second of the above
recommendations at the coming session
of Congress would be enough.
The Personnel Bill.
The report contains the strongest kind
of recommendation in favor of the per-
sonnel. known as the Roosevelt bill
Oh. r. 10i0S)., The Secretary will find
that he is in agreement with nearly all
people who have looked into this and
cognate matters of naval reform with
care and intelligence. 1t is right that
naval officers of all grades should have
as much as the pay of their relative
grades in the army and marine corps
And there is no sort of doubt that the
marine corps should be enlarged and
given additional consideration; if for no
other reason, because it has added iuster
to our arms by its gallant and devoted
conduct during the war. 1t is a shame to
allow brigadier general TO each minor
grand unit of the regular and volunteer
armies and only allow the commander of
a corps d'eiite of 400 men the rank of
colonel. The commandant of the marine
corps ought to be "a brigadier general at
least. and if he were given the dignity of
a major general no one should complain.
We are unable to speak as much in COM
mendation of another proposed change
Wnlcn Is TO aDOliSn the rank OIL cO1ninO-
dore in the navy Every American, man
| and boy, who has studied the history of
our country at school, has necessarily
come to identify that title with all that
| has been great and stirring in the ex-
| ploits of our naval heroes abroad from
| the organization of our Government down
| to the present time. 1t was Commodore
| Perry who fought and won the battle of
| Lake Erie. 1t was Commodore Decatur
| who cleaned up the Barbary Coast. Il
! was Commodore Perry again-brot1er of
the Erie man-who opened Japan to civili-
| cation and the trade of the world. And,
| in our own time il was Commodore Dewey
| who defeated the Spaniards in Manila
| Bay and added the Philippine archipel-
| ago to our national possessions. Finally,
| it was Commodore Schley who conquered
| and destroyed the squadron of Admiral
| Cervera off Santiago. The rank of COM
| modore is good. old, time-honored
American one. redolent of glorious