The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-17
NAVAL INCREASE FOR 1900.
BOARD ON CONSTRUCTION HAS NOT
REACHED A DECISION.

1t May Propose -Four Instead of Three
e,OOO-Ton Sheathed and Coppered Pro-
tected Cruisers No Contracts Can He
Made Until Arnor Question L. Settled.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1e.-The naval pro-
Rramme for the next fiscal year has not been
determined by the Board on Construction. but
when the board adjourned its meeting to-day,
1t was with the understanding that an earnest
attempt to decide on the character OF It's
recommendations to the Navy Department
should be made. To-dayis meeting was held
under unusual conditions as each member
OF the board had received COPY Of q
circular letter from the Department d.
recting him to observe secrecy In con-
nection with all matters considered. while
heretofore the sessions OF the board
have been held behind closed doors. the mem
bers were not bound by any Department orders
to consider as confidential all that passed at
their meetings. Some OF the Nom bsrs OF the
board evidently consider the order as entirely
unnecessary. believing that they should be
permitted to use their discretion 40 to what
shall be given out about the meetings. There
10 q disposition. however. to comply with the
Departments desires.
All the discussion has az basis the sugges-
tion that the programme be limited to three
sheathed and coppcred protected cruisers OF
about six thousand tons displacement each
Threevessels OF that description were included
In last years programme OF fifteen vessels. but
Congress. while granting appropriations for
the obstruction OF the other twelve. declined
TO sanction the building OF these. Since the
loss Of the Charleston suggestions have been
made that the programme include four instead
OF three 900 ton cruisers. and II Ia safe to say
that this will be the minimum recon menda-
ton OF the Board on Construction.
-, ,,,;, a. .,.., ~ au,
ideas OF what should constitute next year:
p.SEr.n%e as there are members Of the Board
.-nve 10 al-wi.h decided tendency. however
towards greater increase than that oontem-
partmen, IA wa, stated in THH Sun a i.v
a.. 90, mouaS.r. ., o.. pas,S " ..
n npre. ss ~ith tn. " dsa a' ,S osFa mor.
,o,,s ., rsss" ,,s "Waa.,,,oo ~ o s eu y,
nsarer Sdustment than Il pt wa. during e.. ast
., With hs
wait before IL can legally advertise for bids for
the three armored cruIs.r.s and three frstelas,
he 'S award ard ' Of eoptracts until eontTsnts
fb have b een made d In View Of ,Sis sondtibn
there is a dispo.it on 70 consider The siI armor:
elaIa included in the for "a - Il
yanr one me m Der OF the Board on Cosstrue-
tion Ia mnkinQ a strong effort howeyer To
secure the abortion 10y the board OF a recon-.
meniation TO the DEPARTMENT Tor the CON
the Navy has now only two. the New York and
the BTookiyn.
The Bosri has not Lost sight OF the ,aot tina.
uith rho sudden growth OF American tstri
tnTy and eorrespondine resronsibiIitv ria
navy mu.t l.. EeSt ABREAST OF modern naval
nnng Will M psacs with ali ths v"rS
the United States have no assurances that III:
,asIousy OF othrr nations excited by the in .
creased i'm portsnce Of America as . world
power, will not culminate In dificulties
whIch II Ia beat 10 be prenarsd
hny hesltation In continuing the steady
inrr.,se OF the navy. IL Ia argued In
naval circles. would be A moral dIsndynn
taee and might tend TO EN- holden any foreign
power uhinh would not regret thu oDportun-
~ Seaiine a blow TO the bride Of thi.
country The position taken by the Gpitsd
States on the Chinese question alone is re-
aardsd Nv soms naval ofacars a. sufyioient %
Sustiiy an increase in the mum her OF armored
aims whether this view preyails TO any ar
ten. in the Bonr,i OF Construction remain.
10 ha scsn II takes two year. to boId
n hnt,l.ship and IN the Board ndopts rho
view that the siI armorciads provided
for in the avail act FOR the RE Mt year Az he
consd.rei "a carried over in TO the prog ram m