Warren sheaf., 1899-12-07

55iH = ne mum Der OIL large, SWlII ana power
ful armored cruisers of great coal endur-a
to the rest Of the naval establish hment.
The experience of the last year has also
shown the need of several smaller vessels
usually classed as gunboats. It is there
fore recommended that congress be re-
quested to authorize the construction of the
following vessels:
Es' First. Three armored cruisers of about
1900 tons displacement, Of a maximum
Edraught of deep load not to exceed 26 feet
carrying the heaviest armor and most pow
erful ordnance for vessels Of their class,
to be so sheathed and coppered as to have
the highest practicable speed and greatest
radius Of action.
Second. Twelve gunboats Of about 900
tons trial displacement, to be sheathed and
coppered
And, third, as recommended a year ago,
three protected cruisers of about 5000
tons trial displacement, carrying the most
powerful ordnance for vessels of this class,
to be sheathed and coppered and to have
the. highest possible speed and great radius
Of action
The secretary adds in this connection that
the S,OOO-ton protected cruisers are consid-s
cred better adapted to the present needs
Of the navy than the 6,OOO-ton ships rec
commended last year. He also asks thatif
satisfactory bids cannot be obtained for
the new ships authority be given to build
them at the United States navy yards.
Services Should BE Recognized.
The secretary's reference and recommen-
dation as to those who took part in the op-
erations at the battle of Santiago are as
follows: While those engaged in the battle
Of Manila have been deservedly rewarded
and no men ever deserved reward more
.richly-those who took part in the opera
tions at Santiago, displaying the same con-
splcuous. conduct and extraordinary hero
ism, have received no recognition what
ever for their great services except the
recommendations for promotion by the
president, which have lapsed, not having
been acted upon by the senate. The depart
ment believes it due to these gallant men
to suggest to you that their services be
recognized and equal justice done them,
and that in accordance with the statute in
such cases made and provided, you rec
ommend that the thanks Of congress be
given to the commander in chief of the
North Atlantic squadron and to the offi-
GERS and men under his command, as they
were given in the case Of the commando
in chief and officers and men Of the Asiatic
squadron. Ike s1s SIS 5sz
Did Glorious Work.
'The North Atlantic squadron was
charged with great and exacting duties,
including the blockade of Cuba coopera-
tion with the army and the pursuit block
ade and capture or destruction of the Span
ish squadron under Admiral CerWera all
of which it discharged with signal eff
cheney. It was campaign of great scope
and enormous responsibilities, and was
brought to a successful and glorious con
summation, which termin ated the war by
the destruction Of the Spanish sea power
It was marked by unsurpassed precision,
brilliancy and vigor. That the men who by
such achievement earned their coun-
try's gratitude have received no reward
from its government is an omission which
cannot be doubted will be cordially and
generously repaired 5ss 6,
If reward by the present system Of pro-
motion is abandoned, the department. re-
news its suggestion embodied in senate bill
5,005, introduced at the last session of con-
gress, which provides for medals Of three
#cIasses-one for conspicuous conduct in
war, one for extraordinary heroism and
one for general meritorious service-the
first to carry with it a per centage of in
crease of pay, based upon the rank of the
recipient, and calculated to take the place
of the increase which would be the result
4 of promotion were that form of reward con-
tinued. It is believed that such amedal, a
worn during life and transmitted for an
inheritance, will be far more grateful to
deserving officer than promotion in
rank at the expense Of a comrade.''
The Armor Question.
p Concerning armor for warships the sec
retary says: The most important ques-
tion pertaining to naval construction at the
present time, and one that demands prompt
Fattention,8is thai Of the armors for vessels
now building and for others authorized but
not yet contracted for on account of the
provision in the act of March 8, 1893, pro-
hibiting the department from contracting
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 inferior arnnor can
not be obtained, and the department has
therefore been unable to invite proposals
for the three battleships and the three
armored cruisers authorized by the act Of
March 1899. The secretary then8shows
that 1888 tons of armor are needed for the
battleships Maine, Ohio and 81 Missouri.
about 5000 tons for the new battleships not
yet begun and about 800 tons for the ar
fmored cruisers already authorized, a total
of a bout q, ,458 toms. He says that $500 a
ton bly, will buy armor made by the
ordinary process of face hardening wi which.
though good, is not the best, and the de-
partment does not therefore consider 1T
suitable for vessels of the Maine cla IS.
After pointing out the features of the new
process OF making armor and its adoption
by leading maritime nations except the
United States, the secretary says: .aThe
department desires to make use Of such
armor for the vessels now building which
are yet unsupplied with armor, and for the
armored vessels authorized and h ot vet
contracted for
IA Recommendations.
His recomme lion is as follows st is
urgently recommended that in the early
days OF its next session congress enact such
special legislation by joint resolution Or
otherwise, as may be necessary to enable
the department to make contracts early in
the coming year for {, 1858 tons of armor Of
the best quality that can beaobtained IN
this country for the Maine, Ohio and Mis-
March 8. 1899, limiting the price of armor
to $500 per ton, and the restriction prevent
ing the armored vessels therein authorized
from being contracted for until the armor
therefor is contracted for, be removed.
Whatever may be the future action of con-
Sgress regarding the esta abli ishmentof q goy-i