The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-07
NEED OF A LARGER NAVY
Admiral Sampson Says Our Po-
sition Demands 1t.
A LESSON OF THE WAR
No Necessity for an Increase or the
Army-We Have Taken Our Place
Among the Powers - A
Tribute to Dewey.

New York, June 6.-The Independent
this week will contain an article by
Rear Admiral Sampson on the United
States navy, in which he says:
Il have long believed that the navy
of the United States is not adequate to
the needs of the nation, and in spite
of our victories, the events of the past
year have tended strongly to confirm
the view 1 had before the war began.
For an army increase, fail to see the
necessity. II is hardly conceivable that
we could use a large army except for
wars Of foreign conquest, which the
sentiment of our country would not
permit. No power except Great Brit
ain could hope to attack us success
fully upon land. No two powers COM
bined could hope to effect anything
against us by sending an army to this
country.
Three thousand miles of water pro-
tect us from all except one possible
enemy--Great Britain-who has of late
shown most Enthusiastically that she de-
sires permanent peace and the closest
friendship. Her attitude is all that
could be desired. 1 do not believe that
there is any room for doubt as to the
good faith of the English. They really
to make sacrifices to secure it.
Foreign armies, therefore, do not
constitute a danger to this country.
The possible wars which confront us
are naval wars, and in order to wage
them successfully, we need more ships.
/ believe that we should have at least
twice as many ships as our navy at
present contains. Whether or not we
desire to have it so, the war has made
a great change in our position among
the nations. 1t gained a new estimate
of us and has put us in the front rank
of the powers whose voices decide
questions of the worlds politics. At
the same time, we have greatly extend
ed our coast line and have undertaken
the government of large and distant
territories. We have become an ASiatic
power and cannot evade the RESPONSE
bility of such position. We have
great interests in the Pacific ocean and
must be prepared to- cope with any
who are disposed to deny our rights
there. To safeguard our interests, to
maintain our position, to speak with
the authority that becomes US, we need
still more ships. If our easy victories
over the fleets of a weak naval power
fill our people with the belief that we
have now navy that Is large enough
for all our needs then those victories
will have done us harm instead of good
L believe in harbor defense, which
only determined attacks Of the enemy
| could overcome.
I'VE have still much to learn about
modern warships. They are as yet In
| the experimental stage. My own idea
! is that the naval increase should be
made by the building of more vessels
| of the New York type and greater
| speed and larger coal capacity must be
secured. Our need of swift armed
| cruisers transcends other naval needs
The present is a good time to press
! the needs of the navy upon the coun
try. which will soon be quivering from
| end to end with emotions produced b!
| the reception of the hero of Manila
| The extraordinary and widespread dis
| position to do him honor can scarcel,
De otherwise than pleasing to all off
GERS of the navy. No man could pos
sibly have done more thoroughly thai
| Dewey what he set out to do and tina
is the test. His fame is secure for th'
| fin I'M -