The herald., 1898-07-10
FUTURE OF OUR NAVY

| The demand for material enlarge
ment of our sea power is not likely to
be confined to any one party or class OF
people m this country. The adoption OF
the policy of territorial expansion and
colonization will render the step impera-
tive, but 1t will be urged with more OF
less persistency, quite independent OF
what we shall do with the conquered isl
ands.
With the first full knowledge and ap-
probation Of the strength Of our naval
arm came the consciousness of its weak
ness-came the hint that its strength is
only relative; that it's puissance Is guam
tative, and that its effectiveness is largely
dependent upon the use that Is intended tc
be made Of it. Constructed primarily fol
defensive operations. 1t could not be ex-
pected to fill all the requirements OF Of
fensive operations in distant stations
We have Just had an example Of its de-
ficiency in the matter Of speed. Had
Cervera's fleet been able to escape from
the harbor Of Santiago and get half an
hours lead in the race, 1t might not have
been destroyed. Captain Evans OF the
Iowa, in his account OF the chase, in our
last issue, told us of the :mpossibility of
aiming any Of the Spanish vessels, and
had not the Colon and Oquendo been SO
disposed by their commanders as to re-
ceive simultaneously broadside from all
of the port guns of the Iowa and the
Oregon, they might have made good their
escape.
The incident forcefully accentuates the
need of reinforcing our navy with num-
Der of cruisers or second-class battleships
Of high speed similar to the Colon.
The naval bill recently passed provides
for the construction of three new battle
ships, for eighteen torpedo boats and
eighteen torpedo-boat destroyers. but for
no vessels of greater speed than those
now in our navy.
It Is likely that several vessels Of Mon
tijo's fleet and of Cervera's squadron will
be raised and added to the effective force
of our navy, and the next congress, with
more accurate information touching the
peculiar needs Of the naval branch of the
service, will doubtless supply them with
out much hesitation or quibbling.
In the meantime no interest of the ma
ton will suffer or be menaced. The Lon
don Speaker yesterday said:
The Santiago fight proves, so far as
the fleet is concerned, that the United
States need not fear comparison with
any country in the world.
The Spectator, on the same day, de-
clared that the American fleet could face
even the French fleet without great risk
Of disaster, and added:
So far as the German and American
navies go, there would be no COMPARE
son. A struggle between them would
be very short and very complete, and
it would surprise Emperor William.
who thinks himself invincible; but his
self-confidence cannot alter history.
The glorious achievements of our navy
since the war began have created an
impression abroad regarding it's destruc-
tiveness that In itself is worth a good
many battleships. So long as Germany
stands in awe of 1t and 1t commands
wholesome respect in the Place de la
IConcorde, we shall have little to fear. A
long time will pass before British guns
| are trained upon us, and the naval
strength of other European powers will
not give Uncle Sam bad half hour.