The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-12-06
NEW WARSHIPS.
Secretary Long Asks for Author
ity to Build 10 Cruisers.
The Head Of the Navy Departments In
His Annual Report Requests con-
gress 20 Recognize she valor
OfsampsOn's Alen-Other
Recommendations.

MaSnlnRJOni Dcc. -4ho hhhuoA ~
port of the secretary of the navy is
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 more important
questions relating to the navy, includ-
ing the authorization Of IS new war
ships, the imperative need of special
legislation in the early days of con-
gress for armor of the best quality
that can be obtained, and the PROPOSE
ton 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
for the part they took in the naval op-
erations 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
establishment The experience Of the
last year has also shown the need OF
several smaller vessels, usually classed
as gunboats. 1t is therefore recon-
mended that congress be requested to
authorize the construction of the fol-
lowing vessels:
"First--Three armored cruisers, Of
about $4,000 tons displacement, of q
maximum draft not to exceed 20 feet,
carrying the heaviest armor and most
powerful ordnance for vessels of their
class, to be sheathed and coppered aud
to have the highest practicable speed
and great radius of action.
"Second-Twelve gunboats, OF about
900 tons displacement.
"And third, as recommended a year
ago, three protected cruisers of about
500 tons displacement, carrying the
most powerful ordnance for vessels Of
their class, to have the highest practi-
cable speed"
The secretary's reference and rec
ommendation as to those who took part
in the operations at Santiago are as
follows:
"While those engaged in the battle
of Manila have been deser7edly re-
warded-snd no men ever deserved re-
ward more richly-those who took part
in the operations at Santiago, display
ing the same extraordinary heroism-
have received no recognition whatever
for their great services exeept the rec
concentrations for promotion by the
presideut which have lapsed, not hav-
ing 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 you
recommend 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.
"If reward nv the present system of
nromotion is abandoned. the depart-
ment renews its suggestion embodied
In senate bill 5.Oo5. introduced at the
last session of congress. which pro-
v;des for medals of three classes-oue
Tor consnicuous conduct in war. dne
for extraard nary heroism. and one for
oaneraI ueritorous serviee-the first TO
carry with II a nereentaoe of increase
of nav. based upon the rank of the re-
cinient. and calculated to take the
nlace Of the increase which would be
the respIt of nromotion were that form
of reward continued. II is believed
that sucb a medal. worn during life
and transmitted as an inheritance. viii
he far more grateful to a deserving
officer than a promotion in rank at the
exnensa of n comradep -
Concerning armor for warsbips the
secretarv saws: "The most Important
question pertaininp to naval construc-
tion At the present time. and one that
demands prompt attention. is that OF
tbe armor for vessels now building.
and for others authorized ,but not vet
oon4rac+ad for ON account of the nro-
vision in the act of March 3. 1889. pro
hibiting the department from con.
tractin9 for the vessels therein author.
, ized mill contract has been made FOR
, the armor therefor within 500 a ton.
Tn. r,.;ce fixed Is one for which even
inferior armor cannot be obtained. and
tne department mas 'heretore Oeen un