The times., 1898-02-27
OUR NAVAL STRENGTH.
Ii L. Formidable and Properly Dis.
tribuicd for Aggressive Action.

1t is interesting TO note the present
movements Of American ships Of war 1t
shows thatAmerican naval experts are not
novices at the business OF mobilizing arm
ed fleets Take the Asiatic fleet for an in
stance Quietly and almost without notice
the feet on that coast. consisting OF five
or six vessels. all Of them good strong
ships but none of the first-class. have
been gathered in the neiEhborhood of
Hongkong. From this port it is but a
few days sail to the PHILIPPINE Islands. In
the event of a declaration of war between
the United States and Spain they would
make a swift descent upon those islands
and meet the few vessels Spain now has
in those waters.
The Philippine rebellion has been sub
dued, but there is still growing the seeds
of discomfort and the revolutionists
would only need the presence of the
United States fleet to cause them to re-
sumo the struggle which the superior
numbers of Spain had compelled them
TO cease.
AT the Hawaiian Islands are stationed
the San Francisco, a cruiser of good
croft and Helena the trio being conven-
lent for run to the PHILIPPINES or for a
descent upon the commerce of Spain on
the Pacific coast.
The European squadron, which has been
doing duty in the Mediterranean Sea, has
been quietly ordered out ~ that land
locked basin. and is gathering off the
Portuguese coast ready to respond to
orders that may be sent her at any mo-
ment. either looking TO an attack upon
some Spanish sea coast city or for a hur-
ried run to home waters.
1t is in the vicinity of Cuba, however,
that the most interesting program is be-
ing worked out The display of force be-
ing concentrated there is quite formidable
and may well cause Spain to hesitate be-
fore she enters upon a struggle with the
United States. for it is admitted on all
sides that this contest will be a naval
one. Admiral Sicard now has at Kev
West and in he adjacent waters a fleet of
war craft of ten or twelve vessels. ey-
cry one of which is of modern construr-
uon and the equal of anything that floats
OF the same size and fighting quality. In
this squadron are the newest battIeshiG:
and some OF the fast armored cruisers
He will soon be re-enforced by the South
American squadron, which is working its
way north. and is now concentrating OIL
The coast of Venezuela. where it ca.Y
strike in conjunction with Admiral Sic
ard iieet at moments notice. This fleet
consists Of the cruisers Brooklyn. Cincin-
natl and CaStine and the clnboats Will
mington. Nicksburg and Annapolis The
cruiser Montgomery has already started
for the Gulf waters. and the monior Ter
Tor. terror not only in name but in
fact has sailed out OF Hampton Roads
and is now moving along the Atlantic
coast keeping a weather eve out for any
struggling ship sailing the Spanish flag
which it may be-necessary to watch The
Puritan. another of the monitors which
is the superior of any of the Spanish bat
tleships, with their high freeboards is al
most ready for duty. and these two ships
aided by the seacoast guns and submarine
mines. would be easily able TO protect
New aAark from attack by anything that
Spain could send against her.
The 9Miantonomoh, another of those ue-
~ fighting machines which the recent civ
il war brough into existence. is at the
Brooklyn navy yard undergoing repairs
which will be completed Monday. and
the ram katahdin is at the same ward
being put in lighting trim. The cruisers
Columbia and Minneapolis which yer,
pun IN Ordinary some time ago, are being
overhauled, and. with their new crews.
win soon be added to the list of available
vessels at the disposal of the department.
Taken altogether, these ships form a
lighting fleet which is the superior Of
anything that Spain can bring against us
and naval experts who have given the
subject careful study assert that Cuba
could be easily invested and the heaviest
force Spain might be able to send across
the water could be vaaauished with lit
tie trouble and practically with the loss
Of but few men.