The times., 1898-01-22
THE CONDITION Of THENAvY
Repeated Publications Tending
TO Show Its Weakness.
NAY SERVE A POLITICAL END
Perhaps Intended as a Check Upon
Congress in the Natter of Action
Relating To Cuba-The American
Navy, as a Matter OF Fact. Is in
Good Shape.

Somebody has inspired the talk about
the weakness of the American Navy
for political purpose. The inadequacy
of the American feet TO cope with the
Japanese fleet or with the Spanish fleet,
although not new subject, is now a
general topic for talk in the Navy De-
partment. 4 month ago, however, The
Times published . comparison of the
naval forces Of this country and Spain,
which comparison was commented on
at tie Navy Department as having
been premature ana III advised. There
was no cause IN the comparison Tor
{, nac.kdoNvn by reason OF American ma
NaI weakness.
Some days ago some memoranda OF
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roose-
Welt got into PRINT. 1t has been said
that they were not intended for pub
iicatinn. but were meant only Tor the
Information of the Secretary of the Ma
w and Congress. In tins letter, or
notes comparison was made between
the Philadelphia and the Naniwa, in
which il WAS SHOWN that the former
was at the mercy of the latter when
the japanese scare was on. At the
same time the suggestion was made
that 100 rapia-fire guns were needed IN
stead of about the same number of o.
inch breech-loaCinG rifles of ancient
pattern. with which the American ma
Wy is equipped. Again, it was stated
that it would take S500o00 to purchase
It reserve supply of ammunition II
was claimed that While the Indiana, the
Massachusetts,. the Iowa, the Brooklyn,
and some others were splendid vessels,
they were not enough to make good
show against q foreign nation, meaning
all the time Spain.
AS All this has been published before.
although without the sanction OF the
Navy Department, it's present official
publication appears to have some pur-
pose Mr.. Roosevelt has been to see
the President, and MI Hit, who had
also seen the President. declared that
Congress and the people should wait
on some indefinite action which this
Government has in reserve. 1t now
looks as if what was meant was that
there was q good excuse for Congress
delaying any action that would en-
broil this country in q war with Spain.
The current official argument on the
surface is that as the Navy Depart
ment does not think the country ready
for naval war, Congress should Keep
quiet until America is prepared for the
emergency. This suggests the query,
easily proved that if the building OF the
ships now contracted for must be
awaited the present conditions will eX-
ist at least until December, 1899. At
that time the kearsarge and Kentucky
Will be ready, but the Illinois, Alabama
and Wisconsin will not be ready at any
given time in the near future.
AS a matter of fact, however. the
American and Spanish fleets are about
at par and the best vessel Of the Span
iar,is. the Pelago. is being now re-
paired The effect Of the declarations
about the weakness of the American
navy at this time is to all appearances
10 repress Congressional action.
In addition to the weakness as to
ships. there are statements published
about a lack of docking facilities and
several other alleged gloomy pros
poets in case OF resort TO arms.