Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-04
PRAISE FOR SAMPSON
Secretary OF the Navy Long Recon-.
mends the Admiral For Honors
From Congress.
Annual Report of the Head of the
Navy Department Made
Public.
Need of More Warships For the
Navy Discussed The Armor
Question.


liam Il. Sampson, commander in chief
of the North Atlantic squadron during
the Spanish war, and to the officers and
men under him for the part they took
in the naval operations at Santiago.
The secretary's reference and recon-
mendation upon this point are as fol-
lows:
While those engaged in the battle of
Manila have been deservedly rewarded
and no men ever deserved reward
more iichly-those who took part in the
operations at Santiago, displaying the
same conspicuous conduct and extra
ordinary 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 up
on by the senate.
The department. believes that it is
due to these gallent men to suggest to
you that their services be recognized
and equal justice done them, and that,
in accordar,a ,.,,r ~, ,,a,
n IL. -
,''iN 80 - ~ - o'ii7
ihsiii mat me thanks OF congress,lps
glven to- the commander in chief OF the
North Atlantic squadron and 10 the
officers and men under his command. as
they We're given in the case of the COM
lnanflsr in chiaf and ott;o.,.s -, s.
tba ,s;a.ia 1,.. NJ.
:. - . ~ "4sii : ieit
ing uueies, iiicludlis IN
piochaae OF CUBA cooperation with tho
army and the pursuit, blockade and
capture or destruction of the spanish
squadron under Admiral Ceryera. all 81.
which it discharged with signal eti
eiency. 1t was campaign Of srS;,i
scope and enormous Responsibilities
ana vas brought TO a successful and
glorious contamination. which fer-tnin-
ated the war BY the destructioa OF the
Spanish sea power. 1t WAS marked by
unsurpassed precision, brilliancy and
vigor. That the man Who nv s,,eb
achievement have earned their coun-
Try $ gratitude have received no reward
from its government is an omission,
which, il cannot be doubted. Viii b.
cordially and generously repaired n
The secretary urges considerable ad :
ditions to the navy. Concerning the
desired new war ships the secretary
says:
The number of large. swift. ana
powerful armcred cruisers Of great c6al
endurance ia our navy is largely dis
proportionate 10 the rest Of the naval
establishment. The experience of the.
last year has also shown the need OF
several smaller vessels usually classc
as Sunboats 1t is therefore recon-
inended that congress be requested to
authorize the construction of the fol-
loving vessels
Ihfes armored cruisers of about
io'VvV IONS tslai displacement. Of a max
mum draft at deep load not to exceed
e"e'les7siS ieet carrying the heaviest
aiiior ara most powerful ordnance for
Nssseis OF Their class, 10 be sheathed
ana coPpered ana TO have the highest
pfacticapie speed and great radius OF
delion.
We've ennboats of about sos
TONS trial displacement, 10 be sheathed
ana coppersu.
y AS recommended a year ago.
.'hrse protected cruisers of about 5000
tons trial displacement, carrying the
most powerful ordnance for vessels of
eiiis CLASS. 10 ne sheathed and coppered
ailu 70 maze the highest prac ticable
speed ana great radius of action =
me SECRETARY asks that. if satsfac-
TORY DluS can not be obtained for the
new SHIPS, authority be given to build
lhsni az the United States navy yard.
b MlSl PAY MORE FOR ARA1OR.
concerning armor for warships the
secretary says;
ne mostAlmportant question per
tanning TO naval construction at the
present time, and one that demands
prompt attention, is that of the arrnor
for vessels now building and for others
authorized but not yet contracted 70,
on account of the provision in the act
Of March 3, 1893, prohibiting the depart
ment from contracting for the vessels
therein authorized until contract has
been made tor the armor therefor with
in $500 ton. The price fixed is one for
which even inferior armor can not be
obtained, and the department has
therefore been unable to invite propo-
sails for the three battleships and the
three armored cruisers authorized by
the act Of March 3. 1899"
The secretarysthen shows that 1855
tons of armor are needed for the bat
tleships Maine. Ohio and Missouri
about 5000 tons for the new battleships
not yet begun, and about 800 tons for