Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-04

of March 8, 1899, limiting the price of
armorsto $500 per ton, and the restric-
tions preventing the armored vessels
theirin authorized from being con-
tracted for until the armor therefor is
contracted for. be removed.
Whatever may be the future action
of congress regarding the establish
ment of government armor factory,
1T can hardly affect the supply of ar
NOR for the Maine, Ohio and Missouri,
as it will under any circumstances be
impracticable to obtain it from such
source in reasonable time to complete
the vessels above referred to-"
Concerning the system of promotions
which was criticised for working hard
ships upon many faithful and capable
officers. the secretary says:
IL reward by the present system of
promotion is abandoned the department
renews its suggestion embodied in sem
ate bill 5,005. introduced at the last ses-
sion of congress, which provides for
medals OF three casses-one for con-
spicuouss conduct in War, one for extra
ordinary heroism and one for general
|meritoriouS sorNise--the first to carry
With II percentage of increase of pay.
based upon the rank of the recipient
and calculated to take the place of the
increase which would he the result of
promotion We're that form of reward
continued. II is believed that such
medal, Worn during life and transmit
ted for an Inheritance, will be far more
grateful to a deserving officer than
promotion in rank at the expense of a
comrade.
Secretary Long refers to the return of
Admiral Dewey and his enthusiastic
welcome from the whole country After
speaking of the New York reception and
the sword presentation in Washington,
the secretary sums up by saying it was
the nations tribute.
Among the many other topics treated
| is that for fostering the naval reserve
the consolidation of the naval bureaus
of construction, engineering and equip
nent in the interest of more harmonious
action; the construction of barracks for
enlisted men; a review of the various
bureau recommendations. and the desr-
ability of changing the material of the.
| League Island and the Mare Island dry
docks from timber to stone and con-
crete.
The war ships claiming bounty and
prize money from their captures and en-
gasemcnts during the war are set forth
in detail.
He says the survey of the transpacific
cable route indicates that it Will be en-
sirely practicable. 1t is intended also to.
survey a cable route from Guam to Yo-
kohama.
II is proposed to supply all new ships
with srnokeless powder.
The 12-inch gun has ceen 50 greatly
l,leveloped that ii has been DESIGNATED
rs ,he heaviest gun for the latest bat
tie ships. instead of the l3-inch gun.
Many Improvements in naval ordnance
are under Way, including uniform cali
Der for small arms and machine guns.
Work on the design of gunboat No. l6.
10 replace the Michigan on the; great
lakes has bfen suspended pending ne
goliations With Great Britain for a
modification Of the treaty.
The secretary gives a table showing
naval construction going on abroad as
compared With that in the United
states. From this it appears that only
Italy and japan laid down less tonnage
than this country during the present
Year, and that Italy alone had less tom
lnage under construction. The total
tonnage under construction is: England
j3l $50: France. 255, 533: Germany l4s,-
80; Itals. l2o-54o: Japan, 100000: Rus
| STA, a222916: United States 123,236