Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-01

Of their class, and to have 'hc highest
practicable speed and great radius Of ac-
ton. Estimated cost, exclusive of armOr
and armament, si.WO.C0O each.
3. Three sheathed and Coppered protect
cd CRUISERS of about GOO tons trial dis
placement; to have the highest practicn-
bic speed and great radius of action. and
to carry the most powerful oTduau"' sit
able for vessels of their class. Estimated
cost. exclusive Of armor and armament,
s. 10000 each.
4. Six sheathcd and coppered cruisers OF
about 200 tons trial displacement; to have
the highest speed compatible with good
cruising qualities, great radius of action,
and to carry the most powerful ordinances
suited to vessels of that class. Estimated
cost. exclusive of armament, 81 IA. so each
With the territorial acquisitions of thi
present year, If the Philippines are also
annexed to the United States its wing
territorial possessions will be 50 great and
80 extended that this increase of naval
force will be necessary: and, as two or
three years will be required for the con-
struction of the ships enumerated, appro-
rrlations sufficient for beginning them
should he made now. Otherwise the au-
thorization of the second of the above
recommendations at the coming session Of
Congress would be enough.
CONCLUSION.
The naval war board. as finally consti-
tutcd during active operations in thu re-
cent war, was composed of Rear Admiral
Montgomery SCard, Capt. \. ). Crowniu-
shield and Capt. \. T. NahHn trctired).
and was constantly in session at the navy
department.. 1t was equal to every d.
mand and through it proper control wJs
exercised by the department over all tre
movements in the field: at the same time
all officers there were left ample d.scrc-
ton and were never hampered In their
work. The board was charged with deli
cate ana most important duties and YET
the department Is not aware Of an error
in its performance of them.
With such aid as that of this board n
the direction OF naval movements: with
such most helpful. earnest and adequate
assistant secretaries AS Theodore RooS--
welt and his successor, Charles II. Allen;
with such efficient and competent bureau
officials charged with the maintenance,
supply and prcparat on of the navy; with
such officers i'm authority at naval sta
tons and with such officers and men
afloat to carry on the campaign. the sue
cess of the naval department Of the gov
Crumcnt was assured.
It is to all these that the country Is
Indebted for whatever good work and re-
nown have been achieved by its navy IN
the recent war. The head OF the depart
mcnt can only in a measure aid with u
touch here and there. Unframed in til"
art OF naval warfare, without professional
KNOWLEDGE OF the tcCOnlCtltltS OF the SER
vice. he is at best only Tho director Of its
general progress. Throughout his service
in the department h. is greatly indebted
tor whatever success his administration
attains to the intelligence, professional
ability and loyalty OF those who serve
. under him. Especially Is he dependent
. upon the chiefs of bureaus with whom hs
comes in contact and upon whom h. must
rely for advice and counsel. In the con-
duct of the recent war it has be rrces-
I sary to refuse the earnest requests Il
these officers for duty with the fleet.
where alone distinction and glory could
= be won. Their services. however. are
, never more essential N the department
: than at such time, and with full r,IlI-
cation of the fact that many of them have
: been waiting a life time for the very on
portuni;y which the war afforded, the 10
= partmcnt felt the kecn,st regret that th'v
should be denied the privilege OF scrVic g
I at the front. The demands upon the o.
, ficers on duty at the department and the
/. navy yards and stations. al Ike with those
aioat. are much greater In time of war.
, they are often on duty night and day:
f their responsibilities are vastly increased;
, and they. too. deserve reward for mc.!-
torous service.
: JOHN n. LONG.
Secretary of the Navy.