The Republican journal., 1898-07-28
The Work of Our Fleets.

In the civil war the ships devised by
Americans revolutionized the navies of
the world. At the present moment all
navy departments are studying the ex-
traordinary features Of the battle between
the fleets off Santiago. On one side four
heavy armored cruisers were smashed up
with loss of hundreds, and on the other
not ship was harmed, while the casualty
list was one killed, two wounded. This
is war with terrible slaughter for one
combatant and practical immunity for the
other. IT this condition was permanent
there would be no more war. But the
Spanish We're not aware that their navy
was lmpOtent. When their fleet at Manila
was destroyed they claimed that it was
unarmed and outclassed. But at Santiago
they had four of the finest armored cruis-
ers extant. Their belt of steel was twice
as thick as that of the Brooklyn, a ship
that punished them terribly without
injury to herself, though the Spanish fire
was concentrated upon her. Even the
little Gloucester, which was in the thick
of the fight, escaped the slightest damage.
The speed of the Oregon and the Brooklyn
prevented the escape of the Colon, and so
the victory was rendered complete.
In looking over the results of this bat
tie, the Spanish must be amazed to find
that they used their splendid implements
with SO little effect in a battle lasting
over two hours. Such intense humilia-
ton is new to the Spanish navy, even
though its modern record is one Of con
tinuous defeat. At Santiago Lervera, a
lifelong sailor, was crushngly beaten
without getting in counter blow. The
inference is natural that Watson would
smash up Camara in the same manner,
and it is quite reasonable to suppose that
the Spanish Admiral would not venture
to fight in the light of what is now known
of the remarkable efficiency of the Ameri-
can navy. After two such disasters as
those at Manila and Santiago the proper
course is to study causes and keep out Of
range. The prestige of victory is with the
Americans. They know what they can do
with their ponderous ships and big guns,
as well as with the lighter weapons Of
warfare. Spain has nothing left with
which to face us on the ocean, and the
acknowledgment of the fact is wise.
Naval departments abroad are asking
how the Americans accomplished this
wonderful exploit. An answer to the
question is of supreme Importance to
them. Spain has shown that a nation
ludy OWN LlOtSIu, dIulOIeu SHIPS
and yet be utterly helpless on the ocean.
The Spanish sailors were not lacking in
courage. The Spanish guns were almost
equal in calibre to the American. Where
then, was the all-important difference?
Every naval publication will try to clear
up the matter. 1t is admitted that the
American crews are superior in intell-
gence and energy. Their training has
been far more thorough. They handle the
mechanism of an armored war-ship to
better advantage. Their tactics are more
direct and aggressive. Fighting is their
trade, and they never shirk it. One Of
the captains of an American cruiser has
hung up on his ship a motto that the best
way to escape the enemy's fire is to give
him two shots for one. The proecties
hurled upon Cervera We're a binding
storm. Every shot was aimed by skilled
hands. The result was certainty. To
reach the American level other navies
must produce crews Of equal character,
skill and vigor, and ships equally good.
[St Louis Globe Democrat