Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-01
THE NEED FOR MORE SHIPS
Secretary Long and Admiral Dewey Express
Their Views.
They Are in Hearty Accord More
Naval Officers Are Demanded
Sheathing War Vessels.

AS stated in yesterdays Star. the secre-
tary of the Navy and Admiral Dewey ap-
peared before the committee on naval af-
fairs of the House of Representatives yes
terday. The main topic considered was the
increase of the navy. The Secretary re-
ferred to the changed condition of the coun-
try owing to its increased territorial pos
sessions. especially in the orient; called at
tention to Mr.. Olney's recent magazine ar
ticle as evidence of the recognition. even on
the part of conservative men. Of the neces-
sity of a large. permanent increase Of the
naval establishment. While the naval ap-
preparation bill is larger than usual, the
Secretary did not think 1t was larger than
the interests Of the service demanded nor
than the country at large not only anttcf-
pated. but desired.
He said that in his Recommendation of
three very large cruisers three cruisers of
reflected the Judgment Of the chiefs Of the
bureaus who constitute the board on con-
struction, and. he thought. the sentiment Of
the navy at large. His recommendation
would have included also three battle ships
but for the fact that the three authorized
last year are waiting the action of Congress
permitting their immediate construction.
The three large cruisers recommended are
practically battle ships.
Approved the secretary's Recon-
mendations.
Admiral Dewey. whose remarks were ex-
ceedingly interesting to the committee. cor
daily approved the recommendations of the
Secretary. He spoke OF the necessity of a
large naval force in the orient, as the
means Of commanding the respect and
encouraging the trade of the people there.
His opinion was that more battle ships are
desirable. and that as between three more
battle ships and the small gunboats. pref
erpnce Sh0IIll he given N the battla Shtng
especially some gunboats have recently
been transferred to the navy from the
army.
More Naval Officers.
The Secretary referred to the necessity
of more officers of the navy to meet the
increase in the number of ships, and rec
commended that the number Of cadets at
the academy be increased. as the facilities
there are ample for a larger number. He
said that he had recommended two years
ago that the course, which Is now six years
-four years at the academy and two years
at sea-be reduced to four years. as this
would increase the number of cadets so per
cent. As, however, this had not met with
the approval Of Congress. he renewed the
recommendation which he had made at the
same time, that at the end OF a cadets
four years at the academy the member of
Congress should appoint another cadet with
out reducing the course of the cadet at sea-
or else the senators should have the privi-
leGe OF appointing cadets. either of which
would largely increase the number.
Sheathing wnrships.
The subject of the sheathing OF the bottom
OF ships was somewhat discussed. Admiral
Dewey expressed the opinion that sheath
ing was protection in case of running on
rocks and also kept the bottom clean, SO
that docking was not so often necessary.
He approved CT sheathing. unless 1t should
appear. as he had been advised by one of
his officers, that 1t was difficult TO keep
the sheathing tight. and thus prevent the
getting in ofNWater and the rusting of the
Inside iro1 bottom of the ship. He referred
10 Constructor Caps. who has served in
the Philippines. as having made a careful
study Of the question, and as favoring
sh%athlng.
Inc question of emergency funds for the
islands was discussed. and some reference
was made TO the new buildings at the
academy, and to the matter of building
ships in the navy yards instead Of by con-
tract