Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-11

document of unusual interest, dealing
not only with the work of the navy
during the past year and important
recommendations for the future, but
also discussing the most important
questions concerning the navy, the au-
thOrizing of eighteen new Warships,
the imperative need Of special legis-
lation 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 Admiral
Sampson, commander-in-chief of the
north Atlantic squadron and the Of
ticers and men under his command for
the part they took in the naval opera
lions at Santiago.
These larger items of the report re-
ceive extended attention at the hands
of Secretary Long. AS to the increase
of the navy he says: '"The number
Of large, swift, and powerful armored
cruisers of great coal endurance in
our navy is largely disproportionate
to the rest of the naval establishment.
The experience of last year has also
shown the need of several smaller YES
sells usually classed as gunboats. It is
therefore recommended that congress
be requested to authorize the construc-
| ton of the following vessels: Three
armored cruisers of about $4,000 tons
trial displacement, of a maximum draft
at deep load not to exceed 26 feet, car
rying the heaviest armor and most
powerful ordnance for vessels of their
class, to be so shathed and coppered as
to have the highest practicable speed
and great radius of action. Twelve
gunboats, of about 900 tons trial. dis
placement, to be sheathed and cop
pered Three protected cruisers of
about 5000 tons trial displacement,
for vessels of this class, to be sheathed
and coppered, and to have the highest
practicable speed, and great radius of
action"
The secretary adds to this connection
that the 5000 tons protected cruisers
are 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 navy yards.
The secretary's reference and recon-
mendation of last year for change in
the present law for rewarding officers
for conspicuous conduct in battle and
| for extraordinary herOism. Theinjustice
of the present system is apparent. The
| promotion of an officer over the heads
of other officers operates as a reduc-
ton Of the latter in rank and also de-
lays them in securing the increased
pay which accompanies regular rise in
grade. In other words, the promotion
is made not at the expense of the gov
eminent, which should bear it, but at
the expense Of the unfortunate officers
who are over-slaughed and who are
thus punished, although faithful to
every duty and only unfortunate in
lacking the opportunity for conspicu-
Gus conduct or heroism.
"The spirit of the navy is so gooG
that l am sure this is painful to the
officer promoted as we'll as the officer
reduced. The department therefore
again urges that legislation be enacted
providing that advancement in rank
for services rendered during the war
with Spain shall not interfere with the
regular promotion of officers otherwise
entitled to promotion, and that officers
SO advanced to higher grade by reason
of war service shall be carried as ad-
ditional to the number in each grade
to which they have been promoted.
The department submitted to congress
at it's last session bill substantially
to this effect, which is printed as
senate bill, No. 5OO6, and to which at
tention is invited.
''The most important question per-
tanning to naval construction at the
present time and one that demands
prompt attention. says Secretary
Long, lis that of the armor for vessels
now building, and for others authoriz-
ed but not yet contracted for under the
provision act of March 3, 1899, pro-
hibiting the department from contract
| ing for the vessels therein authorized
until contract has been made for the
armor therefor within $500 a ton. The
price fixed is one for which even in
ferior armor cannot be obtained, and
the department has therefore been I'M
able to invite proposals for the three
battleships and the three armored
cruisers authorized by the act Of
March 8, 1899"
The secretary says that $500 a ton
probably will buy armor made by the
ordinary good, is not the best, and the
department does not therefore consider
it suitable for vessels of the maine
class. After pointing out the features
of the new process Of making armor
and it's adoption by the leading mari
time nations except the United States
States, he says:
"The department desires to make use
of such armor for the vessels now
building which are yet unsupplied with
armor, and for the armored vessels