The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-12
MORE BArTL Es AND DOCKS.
Three Battleshtps, Fouv Dry Docks. and sioo
Arnaor In the New NAVY Bill.


WASHINGTON. March 11.-Threo new battle.
ships; probably four new dry docks; the Secro.
tary Of the Navy authorized TO buy armor plato
at $4oo q ton. These are the principal items
which will appear in the Naval Appropriation
bill for the year ending June 80. 1899. TO be no.
ported to the House early next week. probably
on Monday.
The action OF the committee regarding battle
ships has q significant bearing upon tho Maine
disaster. When tho unfortunate ship won't
down there was much discussion among tho
members as to the advisability Of constructing
that class of vessels. II her loss was due to nc
cident or other cause from within, It was folt
that the expenditure of money for ships likely
to blow up could hardly DO justified. That tho
committee have decided. with but one dissent
ing vote, to build three is conclusive evidence
OF the belief OF the members that the Maine
was destroyed from the outside.
Tho three vessels were authorizations to
take the place Of tho Maine, ono pursuant to the
request of Secretary Long In his estimate to the
committee, and one to meet the oxiRoncIes Of
the situation. The dissenting vote was cast by
Mr.. Tate of Georgia, who expressed n willing.
ness to vote for two-the one asked for by the
Secretary and the other TO take the place Of tho
Maine.
What further addition TO the now navy the
ui III ShIIy u nOb yeD Deen unully deter
mined on. The Navy Departments estimate
contain recommendations only for battlcships
and torpedo boats. Some members OF
the committee think that the ymmetr
OF tho naval establishment, as well
as Its effectiveness, requires that the
construction OF cruisers shall keep pace with
that of the other two classes. but they find them.
selves hampered in striving to secure legislation
to that end by the failure Of the department to
recommend the building of cruisers. The policy
Of the department ever since Secretary Herbert's
administration began has been to increase tho
forco Of battleships and torpedo boats, tho off.
cials believing that the navy possesses a sufl.
cient force Of cruisers for the present.
As 10 the construction of torpedo boats, the
committee will wait and see what the Admins.
tration does In the expenditure OF the $50, oOO,-
600 appropriated this week. Efforts are making
to purchase a fleet Of torpedo boat destroyers,
and should these be successful some members of
the committee think that. with the fifteen tor
pedo boats now building, they will DO sufficient
for present purposes. The action of the COM
mittee as to these vessels, therefore, will de-
pend upon the measure Of success attending tho
efforts Of the Administration to purchase dc.
%stroyers.
The Secretary of The Navy was authorized to
purchase armor plate for vessels at a cost not
oACcCuiiiB FfoO u tOns lulS wa III accordance
with the previous action of the committee.
Four hundred and seventy-three additional
marines were authorized to be enlisted. making
3,O73 in all.
Although the question of dry docks has not
been formally settled, the sentiment Of the COM
mittee favors the construction Of four. Should
this be the determination of tho committee,
they will be located at Boston. League
Island. AlRiers. La. and some point on
the Pacific coast, probably Marc Island
Navy Yard. Istead Of q new dock at LeaFue
Island. the present one may be extended at
o cost Of throe or four hundred thousand
dollars to q size sufficient to meet the nccessi-
ties OF the service. The dock at Boston will be
$50 feet long, and that at Alglers a steel floating
one.
The committee has voted that League Island
is the best place for tho assembling of the aux.
Hilary cruisers.
1t is the expectation tonight that the commit
tee will finish the bill tomorrow and report to
the House on Monday.