The record-union., 1898-08-17
On Contrary, a Very Powerful Force Has
Been hecesSitated
BY the Increased Obligations
Which the United States Has
Undertaken-Regu1 Warships
to be Speedily Put in Trim, and
Large Proportion of the Aux
i1iaries Purchased to Become
Navy.

NEW YORK, Aug. 16.-A special to
the Tribune" from Washington says:
The strength of the navy will not be
precipitately reduced on account Of the
cessation of hoStilities, but on the con-
trary the Administration has determln-
ed that a very powerful naval force is
necessiIated by the increased obllSa-
tionS the United States has undertaken
has forced upon it. Orders have been
given not only for the prosecution or
energetic operations at all naval sta
lions to speedily put in fine trim the
regular warships of the fleet, but a very
large proportion of the auXiliaries
which We're purchased, to the number
of nearly a hundred, will be 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 bidders.
The revenue cutters, sixteen in num-
Der, which were added to the auxiliary
force a few days before the first gun
was fired by the Nashville on April 22d
last, will be restored to the Treasury
Department for coast duty almost i'm
mediately, and in such condition with
their arms and equipment that they
could be used for national defense upon
a moments notice. These vessels, or
most of them, have been of incalculable
service during the war and their Off
GERS and crews have in some instances
been as effective as regular naval men
under fire
The vessels which We're chartered as
auxiliaries under the provisions of the
postal subsidy law" will be returned
IN
the terms of that contract, as soon as
they can be restored to their original
condition after the declaration of peace
Regarding the disposition of the
twenty-five purchased yachts. there is
considerable difference of opinion in the
navy, many Of the younger officers
claiming by their excellent work as tor
pedo boat destroyers and dispatch yes
sells they have demonstrated their util-
ny for permanent retention on the
list. Older officers, however, of a more
practical frame of mind, insist that
better vessels for hostile purposes, par
ticularly of the gunboat class, can be
built for much less money than these
luxurious yachts cost.
Twenty-Five tugboats were also
bought at the beginning of the war,
est and highest powered, may be need
ed for long time at least as naval
auxiliaries in the harbors of Cuba and
Porto Rico and at the navy yards of
this country.
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, it is probable
that she will start for the Philippine
Islands to care for the sick of Admiral
Dewey's squadron. This splendid yes
sci was practically new, having been
launched only two years ago. and al
though the first vessel of her kind in
any navy, has proven of such inestim-
able value that no thought is entertain
ed of the navy being able to get along
without her. Naval officers regard the
repair ship Vulcan in a similar light
Perhaps the most remarkable eco
nomical achievement affecting the navy
which has occurred during the war has
been due to the purchase of twenty col
lierS and half dozen refrigerator and
distuling vessels. The refrigerator
ships may perhaps be dispensed with,
but most of the Golfers are certain of