Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-07
Secretary Long Asks For the
Construction of IS War
Vessels in His Report.
GOVERNMENT NAVY YARDS
should be Provided If Proper Contracts
Cannot be Made No suitable Armor
Can be Secured at $500 Per Ton
Men in Santiago Fight Should
be warded.

ST the secretary of the navy Is docu-
l.cnt of unusual Interest, dealing not on
Is with the work of the navy during the
FAST year and important recommendations
for the future but also discussing the
more important questions relating to the
navy, Including the authorization of lSnew
war ships, the imperative need OF special
LEGISLATION in the carly days Of Congress
tor armor of the ncst quality that can be
obtained and the proposition that the
thanks of Congress he given to the COM
1.andcr-iu-chief of the North Atlantic
squadron and to the officers ana men I'M
der his command for the part they took
Ia the naval operations at Santiago.
These larger items of the report receive
extended attention at the hands of Score
tary Long. As to the Increase of the navy
he says:
The number of large, swift, and power
ful armorcd cruisers of great coal endur-
arce ia our navy is largely disproporuUn-
ave 10 tho rest Of the naval eStab ishmcf,f.
The experience of the last year has also
shown the need of several smaller vessels
usually ClasSed as gunboats. 1t Is there
core recommended that Congress be re-
ouested to authorize the construction OF
the following vessels
First-rhrec armorcd cruisers, Of about
-, 900 tons trial displacement Of d maxi
mum draft at deep load not to exceed -
fcet carrying the heaviest armor and
most powerful ordnance for vessels OF
their class TO he sheathcd and coppercd
and to have the highest practicable speed
ana great radius of action.
ScCond-Twelvc gunboatS of about $50
tons trial displacement to be shaathed and
Coppered.
And third. as recommended a year ago.
iNrce protected cruisers of about 5000 tons
TRIAL displacement, carrying the most pow
erful ordnance for vessels of their class,
TO he sheathed and coppered, and 10 have
the highest practicable speed and great
"adius of action.
The increase in the tonnage of the last
ihree named vessels from 5000 tons, as
recommended a year ago, to 5000 tons is
ggcsted by the naval board on construc-
ton as better adapted to the present
reeds of the service. The same board are
so of the opinion that if any of the
foregoing vessels are authorized, the law
should provide that in case satisfactory
lids can not be obtained for their con-
sttucton by contract, the department
shall have authority to construct the same
in the naVY-yards
The secretary's reference and recon-
mendation as to those who took part in
the operations at Santiago are as follows:
While those engaged in the battle of
Manila have been deservedly rewarded
and no men ever deserved reward more
rchly-those who took part in the opera
tion at Santiago displaying the same con-
spicuous conduct and extraordinary hero
ism, have received no recognition what
ever for their great services except the
recommendations for promotion by the
President which have lapsed. not having
been acted upon by the Senate.
The department believes 1t due to these
gallant men TO suggest to You that their
= rNlcos herecogniZc dand equal Justice done
tnem ana that III accordance with the
statute in such cases, made and provided,
You recommend that the thanks of Con
EreSs he given to the commander-in-chie f
Of the North Atlantic squadron ana TO the
Officers and men under his command, AS
iHey were given in the case of the COM
nunder-in-2 hief and officers and men of
t''u 80 80. Wv SPu%Uio' lne >oIln AIi''i'lN
acting duties, including the blockade of
'uha cooperation with the army and the
lfsuit, blockade ana capture of the
SPANISH squadron under Admiral Cetvera,
al when 1t discharged with signal eff
cheney. 1t was campaign of great scope
ana enormous responsibilities and was
brought TO a successful and glorious cen
summation, which terminated the war by
inc destruction of the Spanish sea power.
II was marked by unsurpassed precision
hllliancy and vigor. That the men who
ly such achievements earned their coun-
Try S gratitude have received no rev ard
rom IT'S government is an omission which
it cannot be doubted will be cordially and
generously repaired.
Secretary Long refers to the return of A d.
mira Dewey and his enthusiastic welcome
from the whole country. After speaklnc
OF the New York reception and the swo't
presentation in Washington, the secretary
sums up by saying 1t was the nation.
tribute
The warshps claiming bounty and prize
rngeme,ts during thc war are set fort,
al ue'all' Inc secretary says the surVe!
o. me Ians-faclnc cable route indicates
mat II VIII ne chllreF practlcapIe. IL l.
intended also to survey cable route from