The record-union., 1899-06-07

NEW YORK, June 6.-Ihe lnOe-
pendent this week will contain an ar
ticle by Rear Admiral Sampson on the
United States navy, in which he says:
Il have long believed that the navy
of the United States is not adequate
to the needs of the nation, and in spite
of our victories the events of the past
year have tended strongly to confirm
the view / had before the war begun
For an army increase 1 fail to see
the necessity. 1t is hardly conceivable
that we could use a large army except
for wars of foreign conquest, which the
sentiment of our country would not
permit No Power except Great Brit
ain could hope to attack us successful-
ly upon land. No two Powers combined
could hope to effect anything against
us by sending an army to this country
Three thousands miles of water
protect us from all except one possible
enemy-Great Britain-who has of late
shown most Enthusiastically that she de-
sires permanent peace and the closest
friendship. Her attitude is all that
could be desired. I do not believe that
there is any room for doubt as to the
good faith of the English. They really
pared to make sacrifices to secure it.
Foreign armies, therefore, do not con-
stitute a danger to this country. The
possible wars which confront us are
naval wars and in order to wage them
successfully we need more ships. be-
lieve that we should have at least
twice as many ships as our navy at
present contains. Whether or not We
desire to have it so. the war has made
a great change in our position among
the nations. 1t has gained new est1-
mate of US, and has put us in the front
rank of the Powers whose voice decides
questions of the worlds politics.
s'At the same time we have greatly
extended our coast line and have un-
dertaken the government of large and
distant territories. We have become
an Asiatic Power, and cannot evade the
responsibility of such a position. we
have great interests in the Pacific
Ocean. and must be prepared to cope
with anyone who are disposed to deny
our rights there. To safeguard our
interests. to maintain our position, to
speak with the authority that be-
comes us. we need ships and still mora
ships. If our easy victories over the
fleets of weak naval Power fill our
people with the belief that we have
now navy that is large enough for all
our needs, then those victories Will
have done us harm instead of good. I
believe in harbor defenses, which only
determined attack of the enemy could
overcome
I'VE have still much to learn about
modern warships. They are as yet in
the experimental stage. My own idea
is that the naval increase should be
made by the building of more vessels
of the New York type and that greater
speed and coal capacity must be Sc
cured, even though it be necessary to
sacrifice some armor thickness in order
to secure them. Our need of swift
armed cruisers transcends other naval
needs.
The present is a good time to press
the needs of the navy upon the coun-
try, which will soon he quivering from
end to end with emotions produced by
the reception of the hero of Manila
The extraordinary and widespread dis
position to do him honor can scarcely
be otherwise than pleasing to all off,
GERS of the navy. No man could posi-
bly, have done more thoroughly than
Dewey what he set out to do, and that
is the test. His fame is secure for the
future"