The evening times., 1899-11-17

| the Naval Board of Construction, but wheL
the board adjourned its meeting yesterday
it was with the understanding that an earn
est attempt tc decide on the character OF its
| recommendation TO the Navy Department
should be made. The meeting was held un-
der unusual conditions as each member Of
the board had received a copy of circular
letter from the department directing him
TO observe secrecy in connection with al
matters considered. While heretofore the
sessions Of the board have been held be-
hind closed doors, the members were MOI
bound by any departmental order to con-
slider as confidential all that passed at the
meetings.
Some of the members of the board evil
IDENTIFY consider the order as entirely I'M
necessary. believing that they should be
permitted to use their own discretion as
TO what should be given out about the meet
ings. There is a disposition. however, 10
comply with the departments desires. At
yesterdays meeting some fun was poked
indirectly at the new order and at the
member OF the board who is supposed to be
responsible for it. by the submission of such
questions as whether ii would be proper to
mention that the board considered the aG-
Visibility of lengtheniDg the smokestack
OF a cruiser or whether certain ship need
ed scraping.
All the discussion as to the shipbuilding
has as a basis the suggestion that the gro
gramme be limited TO three sheathed and
coppered protected cruisers of about 5000
tons displacement each. Three vessels of
that description were included in last
year programme of fifteen vessels
but Congress. while granting appropria
tions for the construction of the other
twelve. declined 10 sanction the building of
these. Since the loss of the Charleston sug-
gestions have been made that the pro-
gramme include four instead of three 6.0OO-
ton cruisers and it is safe so say that this
will be the minimum recommendation OF
the Board of Construction to the Depart
ment
II developed yesterday that there were
as many ideas of what should constitute
next years programme as there are men,
hers of the board-tive in all-with a de-
cided tendency, however. toward a greater
increase than that contemplated in the
suggestive programme of the department
AS was stated a few days ago. members
OF the board are impressed with the idea
that more armored craft should be built
but are unwilling to press the suggestion
on account of the embarrassing armcr
problem which is no nearer adjustment
than ii was during the last session of Con-
gress- The department is at present con-
fronted with the prospect of long wait
before it can legally advertise for bids for
the three armOred cruisers and three first
class battleships authorized by Congress
in the naval bill for the current year the
law forbidding the award of CONTRACTS for
furnishing armor for these six fine ships
until plans have been made. In view of
this condition, there is a disposition to
consider the six armorciads as included
in the programme for next year.
One member of the Board of Construction
is making strong effort. however. TO Sc
cure the adoption by the board of recon-
mendation to the department for the con-
struction OF more armored cruisers of
which the navy has now only two the New
York and the Brooklyn.
The beard has not lost sight of the fac;
that with the sudden growth of American
territory. the navy must be kept abreast
OF modern naval progress. While at peace
with all the world. the United States has no
assurance, it is urged, that the jealousy
OF other nations, excited by the increased
Importance of America as power. will not
culminate in difficulties for which il is hes,
10 be prepared. Any hesitation in contin-
uing the steady increase of the navy. il is
coniended in naval circles, would be a
moral disadvantage and might tend to en-
holden any foreign power which would not
regret the opportunity of dealing a blow
TO the pride of this country
The position taken by the United States
in the Chinese question alone is regarded
by some naval officers as sufficient to JUS
my an increase in the number of armored
ships Whether this view prevails 10 any
extent in the Board of Construction re-
mains to he seen. 1t takes two years to
build battieship. and if the board adopts
the view that the six armOrclads provided
Tor IN the naval act for the current wear
may be considered as carried over into
the programme for 1g00-l9Ol on account
of the inability to make contracts until the
arnor question is adjusted, one year will
be lost in steady progress OF the United
states toward becoming a first-class naval
power.
The necessity of providing an adequate
number of small gunboats of light draft.
smaller even than the Helena and the
which were built especially
for service in the shallow Chinese rivers.
has been impressed upon the board by
Admiral Dewey. This recommendation of
the Admiral is, it is said, unQuestionably
born OF his desire that the Philippines be
retained permanently. His knowledge of
in the archipelago it is said.
has shown him that safety from any other
o'ttiupt at may De 1
assumed by strong patrol Of Philippine
waters by armored vessels capable of run |
ming into lagoons and rivers and with
speed enough to overhaul any ordinary
craft engaged in attempts to land NUM- |
tions CT war in the islands. The Admiral |
favors the construction OF a dozen gun
boats and the board has been impressed
with his suggestions. The chances are |
that il there is a decision to increase the !
programme beyond the three 6000-ton pro-
tected cruisers. some gunboats of the char
acter suggested by Admiral Dewey will be |
There was something decided upon in |!
The board meeting yesterday, but it was |
Of an informal character, and. according |
10 the statements made, did not show what |
he final action will be. The probabi tiles |
ire that there will be majority and a |
minority report made to the department,
,ne favoring the construction of three |
cruisers like those asked for
asst year. and some light draft gunboats,
md the other advocating big programme,
inclusive of protected cruisers, gunboats
md some armorclads.
Naval Promotions and Assign ments.
The following promotions and assignments OF |
naval officers have been announced:
Lieut.. ]. NJ. Hudgins, promoted 10 lieutenant |
Junior grade), tGlacier.)
Lieut.. ID. ". .Blamer, promoted to lieutenant
Lieut. j. NJ Luby. promoted 10 lieutenant (u |
NOR gradeI, tBeningtonb