The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-07-19
THE WORK OF OUR FLEETS.


by Americans revolutionized the
navies of the world. At the present
moment all navy departments are
studying the extraordinary features
of the battle between the fleets at
Santiago. On one side four heavily
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 practically
immunity for the other. If this con-
dition were permanent there would
be no more war. But the Spanish
were not aware that their navy was
impotent. When their feet at Ma
Mia was destroyed they claimed that
it was unarmored and outclassed.
But at Santiago they had four of the
finest armored cruisers extant. Their
belt of steel was twice as thick as
that of the Brooklyn, ship that pun
ished 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
battle, the Spanish must be amazed
to find that they used their splendid
implements with so little effect in
battle lasting over two hours. Such
intense humiliation is new to the
Spanish navy, even though Its mod
ern record is one of continuous de-
feat At Santiago Cervera, a life
long sailor, was crushiBgly 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.
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
we'll 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 accom-
plished this wonderful exploit. An
answer to the question is of supreme
importance to them. Spain has
shown that nation may own fine,
modern, armored ships and yet be
utterly helpless on the ocean. The
Spanish sailors were not lacking in
courage. The Spanish guns were al.
most equal in caliber to the Ameri-
can. Where, then, was the Linn
portant difference? Every naval
publication will try to clear up the
matter.
1t is admitted that the American
crews are superior in intelligence
and energy. Their training has
been fer more thorough. They han
die the mechanism of an armored
warship to better advantage. Their
tactics are more direct and aggres
sive. Fighting Is their trade, and
they never shirk it. One of the cap
tains 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 projectiles hurled upon Cervera
were a binding storm. Every shot
was aimed by skilled hands. The
result was n certainty. To reach |