New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-12
ernmental manifestation. the toe OF conVers'on'
from Romansm to Lutheranism Is sweeping On
toward the full.
0uR RANK AT SEA.

A leading Berlin paper confesses that Ger
"many Is not able TO compete with the Uhiteu
Estates at sea-" Whether II means compeu''on
in actual strength at the present moment or III
potential strength In the near future at the
present rate of increase, 10 not clear. IL does
not greatly matter. Probably 1t means the
former. But either would be true year OF
two ago the United States was ranked sixth
or seventh among the naval Powers OF tue
world. To-day there Is scarcely SHADOW vi
donbt that 1t ranks fourth, and SOUND Judges
may be found who put 1t In the thlru piace'
surpassed by only Great Britain and France.
Italy has more battle-ships than the United
States. but most Of them are old and unsea-
worthy Russia Las more, but some OF tneih
are old and there Ia good reason 10 noupt
whether the new ores are as enectlve as
ours. ship for ship. The best marksmen OF
Furope are in the British Navy. But actuhi
records show our craftsmanship to be twice
az good as theirs. That Is matter 10 DE TAKEN
into account, Just as much as number ana size
~ ships: and taking II into account we must
reckon our Navy to be good thrd' anu press
ing close TO the second place.
Now, this Is highly gratifying to Americans
but 1t need not and should not unless on pure
" sentimental grounds, be In the least disquiet
ing TO any other nation. We are not Compel
ing with any other. Great Britain is avowediy
determined to keep her strength Mt sea superior
IN that of any possible combination against
ber and she Is quite right In so doing france
and Russia are supposed to be trying TO MAKE
their united navies superior to that or Great
Rrtain. Italy once set out to make hers rival
tbot ny France. but has now fallen into com
narrative inaction. Germany Is planning 10
build a feet that shall rival that OF any other
Continental Power Thus each of them shapes
IFS naval programme according to that OF an
other But this country Is free from all such
rlyalries 1t is building navy, not because
This o. that other Power Is doing so, but simply
IN view Of Its own individual needs. coun-
fry nc large as the United States, with so great
an extent of seacoast, with insular possessions
50 widely distributed and with the prospect OF
so great commerce, needs large navy; just
AZ a large city needs large police rorce' we
suppose there Is not a rational man IN the
World who imagires that the American Navy
will ever be used for any purpose other thah
that of defence OF American rights.
'Trade follows the flag" Is hackneyed shy
ing hut true ore We shall hope 10 see IL
approved In our own case ana In construc'ioh
ms well as In cruising. IL VIZ eah ~ 'PN -.
ily attain so commanding rank with our iniil-
tant marine, we should do likewise WITH our
commercial marine. If we can outstrip 1eF.
many in warships, we should be able 10 rlval
her in passenger ships and freight ships. why
not? Senator Frye. In his recent speech 10 tue
merchants OF this city, reminded us OF the great
development Of the American commerclhi ma
rine on our inland seas 1t Is a fact that III
commercial tonnage we outrank all NATIONS
save Great Britain In the class OF steam cralt
Germany surpasses US little but IN steam
and sail together we surpass her-and she IS our
nearest competitor-by more than 10 per cent
But the bulk Of our tonnage Is IN coast iahe
and river shipping We are no longer mere'!
continental In domain. 1t Is high time our
shipping also got away from continental waters
to the high seas OF the world.