The record-union., 1899-02-19
OUR NEED OF OCEAN STATIONS

1t is conceded, even by the most ultra
anti -expansionists, that the navy shall
not only be kept as strong as now. but
shall be enlarged, better equipped and
made as fully effective as is possible.
But Commander Bradford, in recent
able paper in the Forum points out
that fleet of say fifty magnificent
ships in the Pacific, will be practically
useless to us if the enemy is in the
China Sea, and there is not a chain of
coaling stations well stocked, stretching
along the distance of 5000 miles from
the Pacific Coast to China Without
them, he says, such a fleet would be
helpless. He adds:
1t has been said by those who are
opposed to the annexation of the Phil
ippines: IF Dewey had only sailed
away after destroying the Spanish
fleet, we should have escaped this vex-
atious problem" 1t is presumed that
they meant steamed away since
Dewey's ships practically have no sails.
The question that Immediately presents
itself to a naval officer is, where could
he have gone? The nearest United
States port was then 1000 miles from
Manila Honolulu, which did not be-
long to us at that time, is 5000 miles
from Manila. The public does not yet
realize how much Dewey had at stake
when he entered Manila Bay. He had
to win, and further, to capture a base
for his ships, where they could receive
supplies of coal, provisions, ammuni-
hi
When it was proposed to send
small reinforcement to Dewey during
the latter part of the war, it was nee
essary to provide sufficient coal to
carry those ships to Manila The dis
tance from New York to Manila, via
the Suez Canal, is II, 800 miles. Not
a ton of coal could be counted on from
neutrals. as our ships were headed for
an enemy's territory for hostile pur-
poses. 1t was necessary to send
covering squadron part of the way
with the reinforcing ships; and it was
estimated that, in addition to full bunk
ers upon the part Of every ship when
starting, 10000 tons additional coal
would be required. This amount was
provided and carried by eleven steam
GOLFERS The latter vessels were held
! in readiness at Hampton Roads for
many weeks. Such a collection of
| cargo steamers greatly hampers the
| mobility of a fleet of warships. They
! are slow; they have single screws and
are much more liable to accidents than
warships; and, finally, they require
convoy
Our ships can barely cross the ocean
without coaling, not to speak of their
return. Some of them cannot do even
| this. Under these circumst ances what
/ influence can our fleet ever have any
where along the eastern shores of the
North and South Atlantic Oceans? Eng
land has her Halifax, her Bermuda.
and her Jamaica, where there is not
only an abundance of coal, but there
are docks and all naval stores needed
by the fleet, with cable communication
between the stations. It is fortunate
for us that these stations are English;
| but it is our duty to see that no more
naval bases are established within
striking-distance of our coast In this
connection the attention of the people
of this country is called to the fact that
the Danish West Indian Islands are for
| sale.
At present our ships in time of war
] can only cruise up and down our coast
and advance to the eastward limited
distance not exceeding one-half of their
steaming radius. and must always keep
a sufficient coal-supply to return to a
port where their bunhers can be re-
plenished.
Probably those fearful of their coun-
try possessing territory without the
bounds of this continent, will reply that
coaling stations may be secured with
out possessing islands in their entirety.
Possibly. but not probably. If the ex-