The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-07
SAMPSON ON THE NAVY
THE ADMIRAL THINKS WE HAVE
NOT ENOUGH WAR SHIPS.
The Country should Not BE MisIed By
Our Easy Victories Over q
Weak Naval Power.

NEW YORK, June 6-The Independent
this week will contain an article by Rear
Admiral Sampson on The United States
Navy" Of which he says: ID have long be-
lieved that the navy of the United States
Is not adequate 10 the needs Of the Nation.
and, in spite of our victories. the events Of
the past year have tended strongly TO con-
firm the view ! held before the war began.
For an army increase fail to see the neces-
sity. 1t is hardly conceivable that we could
use a large army, except for wars of for
eign conquest, which the sentiment OF our
country would not permit No power ex-
cepting the British could hope to attack US
successfully upon land. No two powers COM
bined could hope to effect anything against
us by sending an army 10 this country.
Three thousand miles Of water protect
us from all except one possible enemy-Great
Britain-who has of late shown most I'M
mistakably that she desires a permanent
peace and the closest friendship. Her atti-
tude is all that could be desired. do not
believe that there Is any room for doubt
as TO the good faith of the English. They
really wish our friendship and are prepared
to make sacrifices TO secure ii.
Foreign armies, therefore, do not consti-
tute danger TO this country. The possible
wars which confront are naval wars,
and In order to wage them successfully we
need more ships. j believe We should have
at least twice many ships as our navy
at present contains. Whether or not we de.
sire to have ii 50. the war has made great
change In our position among the nations.
Ihey have gained new estimate of US
and have put US in the front rank of the
powers whose voices decide questions of
world politics. At the same time we have
greatly extended our coast line, and have
undertaken the government of large and
distant territories. We have become an
Asiatic power and cannot evade the re-
sponsibilities Of such a position. We have
great interests in the Pacific ocean, and
must be prepared 20 cope with any who arc
disposed to deny our rights there. To safe
guard our interests. to maintain our posi-
ton, to speak with the authority that be-
S some, u.s. we need ships. and still more
SHIPS. III our easy victories over the fleets
OF weak naval power fill our people with
the belief that we have now a navy that Ia
!drse enough Tor all our needs. then those
victories Will nave done harm instead of
good L believe in harbor defenses Every
important harbor on the coast should pos
sess its own local defenses, which only de-
come.
We have much still to learn about mod
perimental stage. My own idea IS that the
naval increase should be made by the build
ing OF more vessels Of the New York type
ana tnat greater speed and coal capacity
must be secured. even though IL be neces-
sary to sacrifice some armor thickness i'm
oruer 10 secure them. Our need of swift
armored cruisers transcends other naval
needs.
The present is good time TO press the
needs or the navy upon the country which
Will be soon Quivering from end TO end with
the emotions produced by the reception OF
the nero OF Manila The extraordinary and
widespread disposition 10 do him honor can
scarcely be otherwise than pleasing TO all
ofncers OF the navy. Nc man could possibly
nave done more thoroughly than Dewey
what he set out 10 do. and that is the test.
His fame is secure"