Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-12-07
REPORT ON THE NAVY
The Secretary's Annual Document
of Unusual Interest.
OPERATIONS At SANTIAGO REVIEWED
The Secretary Wants Those Who Took Part
In 1t Rewarded-Return of Admiral
Dewey-NavaI Reserve and Other
Topics Touched Upon.

Washington, Dec. z-The annual re-
port of the secretary of the navy, just
made public, is a 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, including the authorization Of Ii
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 PROPOSE
ton that the thanks of congress be
given to the commander-in-chief of the
North Atlantic squadron and to the Of
fcers and men under his command for
the part they took in the naval opera
tions at Santiago.
The secretary's reference and recon-
mendation as to those who took part
in the operations at Santiago are as
follows:
While those engaged in the battle of Manila
have been deServedly rewarded-and no man ever
deserved reward more richly-thoSe who took
part in the operations at Santiago. displaying
the same conspicuous conduct and extraordi
nary heroiSm, have received no recognition
whatever for their great services except the
recommendations for promotion by the presi-
dent, which have lapsed, not having 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, IN accordance with
the statute in such cases made and provided,
you recommend that the thanks of congress be
given to the commandment chief of the North
Atlantic squadron and to the officers and men
under his command, as they were given in the
case of the commander-in-chief and officers
and men of the Asatic squadron. The North
Atlantic squadron was charged with great and
exacting duties, including the blockade of
Cuba, cooperation with the army and the pur-
suit, blockade and capture or destruction of
the Spanish squadron under Admiral Cervera,
all of which it discharged with signal efficiency.
1t was a campaign of great scope and great
SponSibilitieS and was brought to successful
and glorious contamination which terminated
the by the destruction of the Spanish sea
power. It was marked by unsurpassed precis-
ion, brilliancy, and vigor that the men who by
such achievements have earned their country's
gratitude have received no reward from its gov
eminent is an omission which cannot be doubted
will be cordially and generously repaid.
If reward by the present system of promo
ton is abandoned, the department. renewS its
suggestion embodied in senate bill 50O5, intro
duced at the last session of congress, which
provides for medals of three claSSeS-one for
conspicuous conduct in war, one for extraordi-
nary heroism and one for general meritorious
Servlce-the first to carry with it percentage
of increase of pay, based upon the rank of the
recipient and calculated to take the place
of the increase which would be the re-
suit of promotion were that form of reward con-
tinued. A medal worn during life and trans
mitted 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 recep-
ton 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 fostering the naval reserve, the
consolidation of the naval bureaus of
construction, engineering and equip
ment in the interest of more harmoni-
Gus action; the construction of barracks
for enlisted men and a review of the
various bureau recommendations; the
desirability of changing the material
of the League island and the Mare
island dry docks, from timber to stone
and concrete. The warships claiming
bounty and prize money from their
captures and engagements during the
war are set forth in detail He says
the survey of the trans-Pacific cable
route indicates that it will be practi-
cable. It is intended also to survey a
cable route from Guam to Yolzohoma.
1t is proposed to supply all new ships
with smokeless powder. The 12-inch
gun has been so greatly developed that
it has been designated as the heaviest
gun for the latest battleships, instead
of the 13-inch gun. Many improvements
in naval ordnance are under way, in
Guiding uniform caliber for small arms
and machine guns. Work on the de-
sign of gunboat number 16, to replace
the Michigan on the great lakes, has
been suspended pending negotiations
with Great Britain for the modification
of the treaty. Secretary Long reviews
also the various naval incidents of the
last year.
sohlatter Wants to BE Buried Alive.
Detroit, Mich, Dec. 4.-'tDr." Elmer.
CO., Snh1n++o,.,c N, rriS;tnd Tfinl-,s