Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-04

annual report OI the OcClOediJ VI 1HS
Navy, just made public, is document
of unusual interest, dealing, not only
with the work of the navy during the
past year, and important recommends
tons for the future, but discussing the
important questions relating to the
navy, including the authorization OF
eighteen 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
proposition that the thanks OF Congress
be given % the commander in chief OF
the Atlantic squadron and to the OIL
GERS and men under his command for
the part they took in the naval oper-
atoms 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
d.sproportionate to the rest Of the ma
val establishment. The experience of
the last year has also shown the need
of several smaller vessels usually class
ed 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
maximum draft at deep load not 10 ex-
coed 26 feet, carrying the heaviest ar
NOR and most powerful ordnance for
vessels of their class, to be sheathed and
coppered and to have the highest prac-
ticable speed and great radius of ac-
ton.
Second. Twelve gunboats, of about
500 tons displacement, to be sheathed
and coppered.
And, third, as recommended year
ago, three protected cruisers of about
5000 tons displacement, carrying the
most powerful ordnance for vessels of
that class, TO be shesthed and cop
pered, and to have the highest practic-
able speed and great radius of action"
The Secretary adds, in this connec-
ton, that the 5000 ton protected
cruisers are considered better adapted
TO the present needs of the navy than
the 5000 ton ships recommended last
year.
He also asks that if satisfactory bids
cannot be obtained for the new ships,
authority be given to build them at the
United States navy yard. The Secre-
tary's reference and recommendation as
to those who took part in the opera
tons at Santiago are as follows:
While those engaged in the battle
of Manila have been deservedly reward
ed-and no men ever deserved reward
more richly-those who took part in
the operations ar Santiago, displaying
the same conspicuous conduct and ex-
traordinary heroism, have received no
e.
services except the recommendations
for promotion by the President, which
have lapsed, not having been acted up
on 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 recon-
mend that the thanks OF Congress be
given TO the commander-in-chief Of the
North Atlantic squadron, and 70 the
officers and men under his command.
as they were given in the case Of the
commandments and officers and
men Of the Asiatic squadron The
North Atlantic squadron was charged
with great and sxacting duties. inelud-
ing the blockade a Cuba. cooperation
with the army. and the pursuit. block
ade and capture or destruction OF the
Spanish squadron under Admiral Ger
vera. al o. which Il discharged with
signal efficiency. II was a campaign of
great scope and enormous reSponsibii-
ties. and was brought to a successful
and glorious consummation. which
terminated the war By the destruction
OF the Spanish sea power. Il was
marked by unsurpassed precision. bril-
liancy and yig0r. That the men who
by such achievements earned their
country's gratitude have received no
reward from It's government, is an
omission which it cannot be doubted
viii be cordially and generously re-
paired.
If reward by the present system Of
promotion IS abandoned, the DEPART
msnt renevs Its suggestion, embodied
in Senate BIZ No. 5005. introduced at
the last session OF Congress, which
provides for medals Of three classes
one for conspicuous conduct in war.
one for extraordinary heroiSm. and one
for general meritorious service-she
first 10 carry with II a percentage of
increase Of pay. based upon the rank
Of the recipient, and calculated "a take
the place OF the increase which vould
be the result Of promotion were that