The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-24
eUlEERV WAS SUPERIOR
Captain Orowinshield Makes His
Annual Report.
MORE MEN ARE NEEDED
A lncrsass OF h Nsvsi Forcs Il Nee
e0nry-A Demonstration or b
Importance OF Sea Power
to ~ Nation

Washington. d. C.. Nov. es-Far out
ct TIE lines Of IN ordinary annual re-
port Of the bureau officers is that Of
Captain CrowninshieId. chief Of the bu-
reau OF navigation, navy department.
5ust made public. Not only was he a
member Of the war or strategic board.
but he was responsible for the execu-
ton OF the plans formed by that board
TO- the movement Of every ship Inc
she assignment OF every officer. Con-
oeQuently no bureau officers had equal
opportunity TO know this history of the
VA. The report Is absolutely free
from personalities. being confined to
the statement OF hard facts with a few
important recommendations for the bet
tsrment OF b laval service.
The war history begins with the sim
pie statement Of certain precautionary
orders that were issued. but even In the
absence Of comment, attention cannot
fall to be attracted to the remarkable
foresight exhibited. To begin with an
order dated January IL last. directing
the commander of the European sta-
lions to retain In service men whose
enlistments were about to expire. and
those following provide for the success
- VI -,
dron from the danger TO which IL was
exposed on the outbreak of the war.
eh0W how the South Atlantic squadron
Was brought up TO reinforce Sampson,
how the Oregon started on her famous
race around south America: how stores
and ammunition were forwarded to the
squadrons and how finally they wind
-up with the famous laconic order TO
Dewey Of April "a:
war has commenced between the
United States and Spain. Proceed at
once to the Philippine islands. Com
0ence operations at once. particularly
against the Spanish feet. You must
capture vessels or destroy. Use utmost
endesvors-"
Four months before Cervera's feet
areached this side our whole North At
lantic fleet was ready for n emery
ency within striking distance OF n
of the twr points from which attack
might come. Trained gunners to the
number of Is. who a just graduated
from h course on the Amphitrite. were
placed on the vessels OF the fleet and
rendered q good account OF themselves.
Captain Crowninshield says: The
completeness Of our naval victory dur
ing the war and the most absolute. i'm
munity from injury which our ships
ana crews enjoyed. naturally led TO n
general conclusion that our unner
had much to 40 with the matter. As A
matter OF fact. all reports bear out this
conclusion. II appears that the exper-
Hence OF each combat was that our
: marksmanship was % far superior that
rat q M at which the Spanish guns
and gunners were inenectivvve. our
guns n gunners were so effective that
before the range was or could be re-
duced. the Spanish ships were either
seriously crippled or their crews de-
moralized."
Captain Crowninshield declares that
the experience of the war has been an
other demonstration of the Importance
20 h nation OF sea power. Touching
upon the combined operations of the
army and navy. the report say n
glaring defect OF the system of Joint
operations was found in the matter OF
conveying troops. and IL Is recommend
ed that TO secure smoother handling OF
such a campaign the navy be by law
charged with the transport service.
The navigation bureau recommends
that congress must increase the naval
force to 10000 men for general service
and 1000 apprentices. The report does
not enlarge upon the necessities of the
service In regard to the personnel.
OF the volunteer officers IL is said
that they rendered valuable service
during the war. but that they can never
be the equal in professional attainments
Of their brothers OF the regular estab-
lishment for lack OF the exhaustive
training impaired 10 the latter.
A tribute In paid to the general work
Of the naval militia In manning the
coast defense stations and the vessels
of the auxiliary naval force and fur
nishing material for crews for the
auxiliary vessels serving with the reg
ular feet.
The bureau recommends the passage
Of the Cummings bill. which provides IN