New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-04
MORE WARSHIPS ASKED.
SECRETARY LONG URGES CONSTRUCTION
OF EIGHTEEN VESSELS.
MANY CHANGES IN EXISTING SYSTEMS
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES REGARD
ING PROMOTIONs-UNION OF

BUREAUS PROPOSED

BUREAUS PROPOSED
Washington. Dec. 3.-The annual report OF the
Secretary Of the Navy just made public. Is a
document OF unusual interest. dealing not only
with the work OF the Navy in the last year and
Important recommendations for the future, but
also discussing the more important questions
relating to the Navy including the authorize
tion OF eighteen new warships the imperative
need OF special legislation in the early days OF
Congress for armor OF the best quality that can
be obtained, and the proposition that the thanks
OF Congress be given to the commander in chief
OF the Nortl Atlantic Squadron and to the Off
GERS and men under his command for the part
they took In the naval operations at Santiago.
These larger items of the report receive ex-
tended attention at the hands Of Secretary Long
AS to the Increase Of the Navy he says:
The number OF large swift and powerful ar
mored cruisers OF great coal endurance In our
Navy is largely dsproporionate to the rest OF the
naval establishment. The experience Of the last
year has also shown the need of several smaller
vessels usually classed as gunboats. 1t is there
fore recommended that Congress be requested 10
authorize the construction OF the following YES
sells:
First-Three armored cruisers OF about 5000
tons trial displacement, Of a maximum draught
at deep load not to exceed twenty-six feet carry
ing the heaviest armor and most powerful ord
nance for vessels Of their class. to be sheathed
bic speed and great radius of action.
SecOnd-Twelve gunboats of about 900 tons
trial displacement to be sheathed and coppered
Third-As recommended year ago, three pro-
tected cruisers of about 5000 tons trial dsplace-
ment. carrying the most powerful ordnance for
vessels Of their class, to be sheathed and cop
pered and to have the highest practicable speed
and great radius Of action.
The Secretary adds In this connection that the
SO00-ton protected cruisers considered bet
ter adapted to the present needs Of the Navy
than the 60OO-ton ships recommended last year
He also asks that II satisfactory bids cannot be
obtained for the ships authority be given
to build them at the United States navy yards.
NEW METHOD OF PROMOTION.
The Secretary's reference and recommended
tion as TO those who took part In the operations
at Santiago as follows:
While those engaged in the battle Of Manila
have been deservedly rewarded-and no men
ever deserved reward more richly-those who
took part In the operations at Santiago. dis
playing the same conspicuous conduct and ex-
traordinary heroism, have received recog
milton whatever 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 gal
liant men to suggest to you that their services
be recognized and equal justice done them. and
that, in accordance with the statute in such
cases. made and provided. you recommend that
the thanks Of Congress be given to the Com
mander-n Chief OF the North Atlantic Squad
and 10 the officers and men under his com
mand, as they given in the case Of the Com
mander-in- Chief and officers and men OF the
AsiatlC Squadron. The North Atlantic Squad
ron was charged with great and exacting duties.
including the blockade OF Cuba, cooperation
with the Army, and the pursuit. blockade and
capture destruction of the Spanish squadron
under Admiral Cervera. all of which it discharged
with signal efficiency. II a campaign OF
great scope and enormous responsibilities. and
was brought 10 a successful and glorious con-
summation which terminated the war by the
destruction of the Spanish sea power. II was
marked by unsurpassed precision, brilliancy and
vigor. That the men who by such achieve
ments earned their country's gratitude have re-
ceved reward from It's government is an
omission which 1t cannot be doubted Will be
cordially and generously repaired.
II reward by the present system OF promotion
Is abandoned the Department renews its sug-
geston, embodied in Senate Bill 5,0O5, intro
duced at the last session OF Congress, which
provides for medals Of three classes-one for
consplcuous conduct In war one for extraordi-
nary heroism, and one for general merltorious
service, the first to carry with IT percentage
Of increase Of pay based upon the rank or the
recipient and calculated TO take the place or
the increase which would be the result OF pro-
motion that form OF reward continued II
is believed that such medal. worn during IRE
and transmitted as an inheritance, VIII De far
more grateful to a deserving officer than pro-
motion in rank at the expense of a comrade.
PRESSING NEED OF ARMOR.
Concerning armor for warships the Secretary
says:
The most important question pertaining to
naval construction al the present time. ana one
that demands prompt attention. is that or the
armor for vessels now building. and for others
authorized but not yet contracted for on account
OF the provision IN the act OF March 3. 1873 pro-
hibiting the Department from contracting for
tho ,essels therein authorized until contract has
been made for the armor therefor within S3Do a
TON The price fixed Is one for which even In
ferior armor cannot be obtained ana the De-
partment has therefore been unable TO invite
nronosals for the three battleships and the three
armored cruisers authorized by the act of March
g. 1899
The Secretary then shows that 1853 tons Of
armor are needed for the battleshps Maine.
Ohio and Missouri, about 5000 tons for the new
battleshps not yet begun. and about 5,lD tons
for the armored cruisers already authorized
total OF about q .45S tons. He says that S4OO a
ton probably will buy armor made by the or
dinary process Of face hardening. which. though
good is not the best, and the Department does
not. therefore. consider it suitable for vessels
Of the Maine class. After pointing out the feat
ures Of the new process Of making armor and
it's adoption by leading maritime nations except
the United States, the Secretary says:
armor for the vessels now building which are
yet unsupplied with armor. and for the armored
vessels authorized and not yet contracted for.
His recommendation is as follows;
1t is urgently recommended that in the early
davs OF it's next session Congress enact such
special legislation. by joint resolution or other
wise as may be necessary 10 enable the Depart
rent to make contracts early In the coming year
for 1853 tons OF armor OF the best quality that
can be obtained in this country for the Maine.
the Ohio and the Missouri. and that the pro-
v,sion OF the act of March 3, 1899 limiting the
nrice OF armor TO $500 a ton and the restriction
preventing the armored vessels therein author
lied from being contracted for until the armor
therefor is contracted for be removed.
whatever may be the future action OF Con-
eress regarding the establishment OF Govern
rnent armor factory It can hardly affect the
supply Of armor for the Maine the ONO ana me ne
N,.in under circumstances be