The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-04
Also Asked to Give Thanks to Samp.
sons Men and to Settle Ar
mor-PIate Question.
CAUSE OF POSTAL DEFICIT
POINTS FROM POSTMASTER GEN.
ERAL SMITHS REPORT.
Twenty Million Dollar nnually
Lost by Carrying Certain Matter
at Rate for Publications..

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-The annual re-
port of the secretary Of the navy. just made
public, is document of unusual interest,
dealing not only with the work Of the navy
during the past year, and important recon-
mendations for the future, but also discuss
ing the more important questions relating 10
the navy including the authorization or
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 10 the COM
mander-in-chief of the North Atlantic
squadron and to the officers and men under
his command for the part they took in the
naval operations at Santiago.
As to the increase of the navy Secretary
Long says: 1.-The number Of large. swift
and powerful armored cruisers of great coal
endurance in our navy is largely dispropor-
tionate to the rest OF the naval establish
ment- The experience of the last year has
also shown the need Of several smaller ves-
sells, usually classed az gunboats- 1t is.
therefore, recommended thS. Congress be
required to authorize the conssrrction Of
the following vessels:
"First-Three armored cruisers OF aboc<
1900 tons trial displacement. of maximum
draft at deep load not to exceed twenty
six feet carrying the heaviest armor and
most powerful ordnance for vessels of their
class, to be so sheathed and to have the
highest practicable speed and great radius
OF action.
"Second-Twelve gunboats Of about 800
tons trial displacement, to be sheathed and
coppered.
"Third-As recommended a year ago.
three protected cruisers of about 5000 tons
trial displacement. carrying the most pow
erful ordnance 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 in this connection
that the s,o00-ton protected cruisers are
considered better adapted to the present
needs of the navy than the 6.00o-ton ships
recommended last year. He also asks that
IL satisfactory bids cannot be obtained for
the new ships authority be given to build
them at the United States navy yard.
THANKS DUE GALLANT MEN.
The secretary's reference and recomnsz.
dation as to those who took part in the
operations at Santiago follows:
While those engaged in the battle Of Ma
Mia have been deservedly rewarded-ari 4
no men ever deserved reward more richly
Santiago, displaying the same con-
spcuous conduct and extraordinary hero
ism. have received no recognition whatever
for their great service. except the recon-
mendation for promotion by the President.
which have lapsed, not having been acted
upon by the Senate. The department be-
lieves ii due to these gallant men TO suggest
10 you that their services be recognized and
equal justice done them and that in accord
ance with the statute In such a case made 4
and provided you recommend and that the
thanks of Congress be given 10 the COM
mander-in-chief OF the North Atlanti(
squadron and to the officers and men unde
his command. as they were given I'm th
case of the cOmmander-in-chief and officers
and men of the Asiatic squadron.
THE North Atlantic squadron was
charged with great and exacting duties, in
cluding the blockade of Cuba, cooperation
with the army and the pursuit. blockade
and capture or destruction of the Spanish
squadron under Admiral Ceryera, all OF
which it discharged with signal efficiency.
1t was campaign OF great scope and
enormous responsibilities. and was brought
TO a successful and glorious consummation
which terminated the war by the destruc-
ton of the Spanish power. II was
marked by unsurpassed precision, brilliancy
and vigOr. That the men who by such
achievement have earned their country's
gratitude have received no reward from
its government Is an omission which IL
cannot be doubted will be cordially and gen.
erously repaired.
If reward by the present system Of pro-
motion Is abandoned the department re-
news its suggestion embodied in Senate BIZ
5o05, Introduced at the last session of Con-
gress, which provides for medals OF three
classes-one for conspicuous conduct I'm the
war. one for extraordinary heroism and one
for general meritorious service. the first TO
carry with it a percentage of increase OF
pay based upon the rank of the recipient
and calculated TO take the place OF the in
crease which would be the result of pro
motion were that form OF reward continued.
1t is believed that such a medal worn
through life and transmitted for an in
heritance Will be far more grateful TO a
deserving officer than a promotion In rank
at the expense OF comrade."
ARMoR FOR wARSHIPs.
Concerning armor for warships the Sec
retary says: The most important question
pertaining to naval construction at the
present time and one that demands prompt
attention Is that of the armor for vessels
now building and for others authorized bur
not yet contracted for on account OF the
provision in the act Of March 3. 1889. pro-
hibiting the department from contractine
for the vessels therein authorized until con-
tract has been made for the armor therefor
within $500 ton. The price fixed is one for
which even inferior armor cannot be OBJ
tanned, and the department, therefore. has
been unable TO invite proposals for the thres