The record-union., 1898-11-27
TIE REPoRToN NAVAL AFFAIRS.

The full text of the report of the Sec
retary Of the Navy is at hand. It forms
very interesting reading. The navy
played so conspicuous a part in the
late war, was indeed the chief reason
for our great success, and is so much
IN the thought of the people at this
time that all official relation concerning
1t is Of profound interest to the Ameri-
cam citizen and the recommendations of
the chief Of the department, somewhat
fuller than disclosed by the dispatches,
will therefore be studiously scanned
The Secretary points out that very
recently and for the first time since its
rehabilitation, the navy has been put
10 the supreme test of war, and in the
result he finds cause for the most en-
thusiastic self-eongratulation among
the people He declares that it is i'm
possible in the brief space of the usual
report to do justice to the conspicuous
gallantry of the officers and men.
He reiterates the statement that in
aSJ7 the North Atlantic squadron was
Kept constantly busy in enforcing the
neutrality laws, and exercised all pos
sible vigilance to that end; this evil
IDENTIFY is asserted to cross the charges
CT the Spanish to the contrary. He af-
firms the judgment Of the Board Of In
curry that the destruction of the Maine
was caused from the outside, and from
fhlf nniTf
items Of the Navy during the war to its
close.
The victory of Admiral Dewey is dis
missed with a few words, but they are
exceedingly strong. Much detail, how
ever, is employed in describing the
operations around Santiago de Cuba,
and the capture and destruction of
Cervera's feet. Concerning that. there
is triple repetition of thet statement that
q Plan Of action had been formulated
and promulgated for the ships before
Santiago in case the enemy's fleet at
tempted to come out Of the harbor; that
when the effort to escape was made.
the American ships were in the posi-
fionpreviously assigned to them accord
ing to the plan devised to meet an at
tempted escape, and thwart it, and that
this plan was standing orders" Clear
ay this statement is made to clear away
the haze surrounding the question of
credit to Schley or to Sampson for the
arrests sof the escaping fleet 1t amounts
10 this, that though the Admiral COM
manding was absent, the enemy's feet
was discovered, pursued and DESTROYED
according to plans long before promul-
gated in standing orders,'' and that
every ship taking part in the victory
was in her place as arranged in the
rstanding orders"
The loss of the Maria Teresa is re-
counted and the statement made that
the department will make an effort to
raise and save the Reina Mercedes.
The operations of the blockade off
Santiago, Havana and other ports are
briefly set forth as well as the work of
the navy in connection with the taking
and occupation Of Porto Rico. Warmer
praise is given the Marine Corps than
has ever before emanated from the
Navy Department. 1t is clear that the
corps has raised itself immensely in the
good opinion of the Government, and
that it is hereafter to have more of Of
hcial attention. It is advised that the
corps be now increased to force of
5000 men. There is also very good
word for the naval militia and its val
liable service in the war is frankly con-
fessed.
The Secretary of the Navy refers ap-
proyingly to a service of which very
little was heard during the war, the
Coast Signal Service. 1t embraced
force of 1926 men and kept watch
along the entire Atlantic Coast, from
Maine to Texas. In addition to chart
cred Ships and some loaned and do
mated to the Government, 102 boats
We're purchased as an auxiliary navy.
and they cost the Government for pur-
chase alone, excluding Quitting and
arnsing, S13, 1882, ,246; desirable fact
to know. but which the report does not