The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-30
Mechanical Superiority.

Wn!Cn naval enga gementS nave inquired
so largely, as the superiority of the
American in familiarity with modern
inventions. Comparison between the
American navy and the Inflated Cas-
tilian fleets cannot fail to impress the
observer of this fact. As the Chicago
Record says, 1t is only necessary to
examine the wonderful record of the
Asiatic squadron under Dewey and the
north Atlantic squadron under Samp-
son TO convince competent judges of
the superiority in design and construc-
tion, equipment and management of
the American vessels over those of
Spain.
But there is another factor which
enters largely into this problem and
which must not be disregarded in
making the final analysis. The per-
sonal element had much to do with
the result at Manila and at Santiago,
but only those who are familiar with
tie methods and manners of the Span
iards. their customs and prejudices,
can fully realize the distinction be-
tween the contending forces. The Of
ficers of the Spanish navy are polished
gentlemen, highly educated in every
thing that pertains to art and litera-
ture, and, as rule, they can trace
their ancestry back many generations;
but when it comes TO the practical
affairs of life. especially the ordeal o:
handling a modern warship in an en-
ragement, they are woefully lacking
in knowledge and skill. There Is no
question of personal bravery involved.
The condition of the Spanish navy was
due to the fact that the nation had
rot kept up with the march of pro-
gress. The country has been content
TO remain at a standstill for m ore than
century. The Spanish grandee de-
sIlses the humble workman, and the
latter despairs of raising himself
above his present condition. No en-
courlgement is Offered the artisan and
mechanic, and as a result there has
been scarcely any industrial develop
ment in comparison with other coun-
tries. Spain can boast of few engi-
eers--civil, mechanical or electrical
consigned to the lower classes by that
inflcxible rule of Spanish society which
DEGREES that a man who engages in
any occupation requiring physical ex-
ertion cannot possess the fine sensi-
bilities of a true gentleman. AS a re-
Spanish navy was badly handicapped
when pitted against the well-orsan-
lied. splendidly equipped and ably
manned American fleets.
1t is now apparent that little atten-
tion had been given the Spanish yes-
sells, and even less care was bestowed
upon fitting out and manning them.
After Deweys victory at Manila the
Spanish admiral explained his defeat
by saying that his ships were not fit
for action; that their equipment was
incomplete, their stores insufficient and
the men unframed. When Cervera
started for Cuba he was eatedly
forced to put into port to make re-
pairs; and in one case at least, he was
unable to proceed for several days be-
cause the English mechanics whom he
had employed resented the treatment
they received and refused to make
much-needed repairs to the torpedo
boat destroyers. At that time the
Spanish fleet did not possess native
to undertake the task.
1t is hardly necessary to point out to
American readers the vast superiority
of the American navy in intelligence
and skill over the Spaniards. Every
ships crew contains engineers cleo
tricians and mechanics competent to
make all the necessary repairs to the
machinery, and the vessels are supplied
with material for such emergencies.
But. in the first place, we have the ad-
vantage of superior design, material
and workmanship in the original con-
structiOn and equipment of these ships
The performance of the Oregon, the
records of the Iowa, the Brooklyn and
the New York, as well as the brilliant
achievements Of the Olympia, the Bal
timore and the Raleigh, command the
admiration of the world. We have the
ships and we have the men. The crews
are familiar with machinery and they
know how to operate it. The officers
are men of education and ability and
they command the respect and conf
dence of the crews. The officers ap-
preCiate the Importance of the SER
vices Of the men who are intrusted
with the care and operation of the
complicated machinery that forms the
ships equipment. They have been edu-
Gated to place proper valuation upon
mechanical Skill 1t is a part OF their
training and il is distinctly an Ameri-
can idea. The result is apparent at a
glance. No difficulty was experienced
in this country in enlistlng all the en-
gineers mechanics and professional
men needed. while Spain was forced to
depend upon foreigners who had no
sympathy with the nations hopes and
aspirations, or else intrust the ships to
incompetent hands. Realizing these
conditions, the destruction of the Span
ish fleet under Montejo and the COM
plete annihilation OF Cervera's ships
can be more readily explained.
Many of cur exchanges seem TO be
of the opinion that Aguinaldo has sim
plifled matters in the far East to a
Ian IUF All