Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-04
NEW VESSELS FOR NAVY.
Long Asked For Is In His Report
Wants Congress to Thank Men
Who Fought at Santiago.

WASHINGTON. Dec. Secretary
Long. in his report, asked for more new
naval vessels, in part as follows:
''First-Three armored cruisers OF
about $4,000 tons trial displacement, of
maximum draft at deep load not to
exceed 26 feet, carrying the heaviest ar
NOR and most powerful ordnance for
vessels of their class, to be sheathed and
coppered and to have the highest practi-
cable speed and great radius of action.
"Second-Twelve gunboats of about
900 tons trial displacement, to be
sheathed and coppered.
''And third, as recommended a year
ago, three protected cruisers of about
5000 tons trial displacement, carrying
the most powerful ordnance for vessels
of their class, to be sheathed and cop.
pered and to have the highest practi.
cable speed and great radius of action. I"
The secretary added in this connec-
ton that the s, 8,000-ton protected cruisers
were considered better adapted to the
present needs OF the navy than the 5000.
ton ships recommended last year. He
also asks that if satisfactory bids cannot
be obtained for the new ships authority
be given to build them at the United
States navyyard.
The secretary s reference and recon.
mendation as to those who took part in
the operations at Santiago were in part
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, displaying
the same conspicuous conduct and ex-
traordinary heroism, have received no
recognition 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 it due to
these gallant men to suggest TO you that
their services be recognized and equal
justice done them. and that, in accord
ance with the statute IN such cases
made and provided, you recommend
that the thanks of congress be given to
the commander-in-chief of the North
Atlantic squadron and to the officers
and men under his command, as they
were given in the case of the COM
mander-in chief and officers and men
of the Asiatic squadron.
At one point in the report he said in
part:
lit is earnestly recommended that in
the early days Of its next session, con-
gress enact such special legislation, by
joint resolution or otherwise, as may be
necessary to enable the department to
make contracts early in the coming year
for 1858 tons Of armor of the best
quality that can be obtained in this
country for the Maine, Ohio and Mis-
souri,, and that the provision of the act
of March 8, 1899, limiting the price of
armor to $500 per ton, and the restric-
ton preventing the armored vessels
therein authorized from being con-
cracted for until the armor therefor is
contracted for be removed.
Whatever may be the future action
of government armor factory, it can
hardly affect the supply Of armor for the
Maine. Ohio and Missouri, as it will |
under any circumstances be impractical
BILE to obtain it from such source in
reasonable time to complete the vessels |
above referred to-
Other matters were referred to and
other recommendations made.
The secretary gave a table showing
naval construction going on abroad as
with that in the United |
States. The total tonnage under con-
struction was: England, 53l. $50;
France, .255. .5S3; Germany. las, ,235; Italy,
l20, $40; Japan. 10000; Russia, 222, 1915;
United States, 1913, 1856.