New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-16
REORGANIZING THE NAVY.
STRONG FORCE TO BE MAINTAINED
WHERE REDUCTIONS WILL BE MADE

that very large naval force is necessitated by
the increased obligations the United States has
undertaken or had forced upon it, Orders have
been given not only for the prosecution Of
energetic operations at all naval stations to
speedily put In fine trim all the regular war
ships Of the fleet. but a very large proportion
OF the auxiliares which purchased. to the
number Of nearly a hundred. will he considered
in the category of permanent additions to the
Navy and will not be turned back to their
original owners, or sold to the highest bidder.
Such policy was favoraby considered by the
authorities few weeks ago. but hardly had the
peace. protocol been signed than there resulted
n more adequate realization of the great change
which the National policy Of the United States
had almost invlsiby undergone. and to-day the
conviction Is forced upon the naval adminstra
ton that American sea power cannot be safely
curtaed. IT, in fact. 1t will not be essential to
materially increase the service ahoat as rapidly
possible.
The revenue cutters. sixteen in number which
were added 10 the auxiliary force few days
before the first gun fired by the Nashville
on April 30 last, Will be restored to the Treas
Try Department for coast duty almost immedi-
ately. and in such condition with their arms
and equipment that they could be utilized for
National defence upon a moments notice.
These vessels. or most of them. have been OF
incalcuable service during the war and their
officers and crews have in some instances been
as effective regular naval men under fire.
This was notably the case with the revenue
cutter Hudson. in the first engagement in Cuban
waters on May II. when Ensign Baglcy and
four other men of the Wnslow shed the first
American blood OF the war. The four lighthouse
tenders also needed for their regular peace
patrol work, especially for the next three
months which constitute their busiest period
One Of these the Suwanee has been active In
most Of the fighting at Guantanamo and San
tiago. and fought for hours at ManZanillo after
the protocol was signed in Washington last
Friday. The two Fish Commission vessels will
also be given up in a few days These Govern
ment vessels were only loaned TO the Navy dur
Ing the war and they WILL OF course, not be
kept from their accustomed duties a day longer
than they absolutely needed.
CHARTERED VESSELS TO BE SURRENDERED.
In the same manner the vessels which
chartered auxaries under the provisions OF
the Postal Subsidy Law will he returned TO their
owners. I'm accordance with the terms OF that
contract. so soon they be restored to
their original condition after the declaration Of
peace. These include the St Paul and the st.
Louis. to go out Of commission next week: the
Harvard formerly the New-York. and the Yale.
formerly the Paris. already turned over 10 the
Army transports. and the Yankee. the Prai-
RE. the Dixie. the Yosemite. the Panther. and
the Badger. which originally named FL
Norte. FL Sol. FL Rio. FL Sud. OF the Morgan
Line. and the Venezuela AMI the Yumuri Of
the Red - Line. Regarding the disposition Of
the twenty-five purchased yachts there is con-
siderable difference of opinion in the Navy.
many OF the younger officers claiming that by
their excellent work as torpedo boat destroyers
and dispatch vessels they have dNrhbr strate
their utility FOR permanent retention on the
list. Older officers. however, OF more prac-
teal frame OF mind. insist that better vessels
for hostile purposes. particularly OF the gun
boat class. be built for much less money
than these luxurious yachts cost. and they do
not hesitate to express their belief that the
continuance Of these vessels In commission will
lead 10 grave scandals and unceasng jcaousies.
In their opinion. the possession OF these pleasure
craft will prove source OF unendng democrat
iza,ion through the insistence OF officers TO be
assigned to them. and because OF their seductive
attractions as junketing craft
TWENTY-FIVE tugboats also bought at the
beginning of the war. and most OF these
especially the largest and highest powered may
be needed FOR long time. at least as naval
Rico and Mt the navy yards OF this country
Such vessels are required constantly at New
York. Hampton Roads and Key West for tow
ing warships. for carrying supplies and for
countless other purposes and when possessed
Of scagoing qualities they will be invaluable
for duty around the new island possessions OF
the United States
The ambulance ship Solace. formerly the
Cromwell Line steamer Creole 1t is proposed
TO maintain permanently In the naval fleet and
after her present voyage to Porto Rico II is
probable that she will start for the Philippine
/ Islands 10 care for the sick Of Admiral Dewey's
/ sauadron This splendid vessel was practically
new having been launched only two years ago
and although the first vessel of her kind in any
navy. has proven Of such inestlmabe value that
/ no thought is entertained OF the Navy being
able to get along without her Naval officers
regard the repair shop ship Vulcan in a similar
light This intensely practical American nov
city has demonstrated her worth In remark
able degree at Guantanamo. and bureau officials
are so enthusiastic about her that they have
urged the advlsabty OF sending her at
to Manila and fitting another ship on her plans
for use In the Atlantic.
GOLFERS TO BE RETAINED.
Perhaps the most remarkable economical
achievement affecting the Navy which has
CURED during the war has been due to the pur-
chase OF twenty Golfers and half dozen
frigerator and distilling vessels The refriger-
ator ships may perhaps be dispensed WITH but
most OF the Golfers are certain OF retention.
When the war began the price Of coal outside
OF the United States had risen account OF
the Welsh strike to exorbtant figures. Its cost
at Key West was 81 ton. and at St Thomas.
Jamaica and other West Indian well
South American points it averaged ST. The
English manpuvres were abandoned on account
! OF IT, Commodore Bradford found that he could
buy all the coal he needed for 81 50 ton at
Lambert's Point Va. loaded and trimmed on
board vessels. This Pocahontas coal. I'M