The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-07
THE NAVAL PROGRAMME
Satisfaction Over the Prospective
Increase Of Fighting Vessels.
FyyO BattIeships, Six Cruisers. and
FOur GunbOats Decided Upon by
plain the Reasons Why Larger
Force Of War Craft Is Needed.

In naval circles Qualification is being OK
pressed over the announcement that the
House Committee on Naval Affairs has
adopted programme calling for the con-
rtruction OF two battleships, three ar
mored cruisers. three protected cruisers.
and four gunboats.
This action OF the committee is espe-
cially important. according to the officials.
because Of the large shipbuilding pro-
grammes which foreign governments are
adopting. The British Government pro-
poses TO lay down two battleships. six
frst-class armored cruisers. one second
class cruiser, two sloops. two gun5oats,
and two torpedo buats The German En-
peror is strongly recommending pro-
gramme which will double the German
feet and France and Russia also have
large programmes.
With three battleships and three armor-
ed cruisers authorized last year. work on
which has not been begun on account OF
the failure Of Congress 20 provide the nee
essary money for armor the department
will be able TO lay down, in case Congress
adopts the committees recommendation.
three protected cruisers. and four gun
boats
There are now under construction six
battleships, excluding the Kentucky. near
~ completed, and the Kearsarge which IS
receiving the finishing touches. so that the
vessels under construction will be eleven
battleships. six armored cruisers three
protected cruisers. and six unprotected
cruisers. besides the torpedo boats aud tor
pedo beat dostroyers nov building.
The adoption Of the British programme
viii mean that the English Government
viii have under construction seventeen
! battleships twenty a-mured cruisers, one
protected cruiser. two second class pro-
tected cruisers. one third class cruiser.
eight slOOps. TWO guubCCts four torpedo
boats twenty-one torpedo boat desJroyeTs.
and one royal yacht
Secretary Long said this afternoon he
was very much grstifed az the intention
. Of the committee 10 recommend the pro-
gramme stated.
81 stated Ia my testimony before the
. committee" ne continued. that the de-
partueut would have recommended three
batlteships had IL thought Congress favor
able 70 their authorization The Depart
ment recommended the construction of
twelve gunbcats. which Admiral Dewey
. believed az that time were needed for sery-
ice In the Philippines. Their number can
I properly be reduced now as the three gun
boats sunk I'm the battle Of Manila Bay
/ raised and repaired. are ready for duty
. ard the army has turned over 90 the Navy
several small EuuboaIs especially 6ttsd Tor
. work 81 the archipelago The programme
is an excellent one. and 7 hope IL Will be
. adopted by Congress
Rear Admiral Philip Hichb0rn. Chief
, Constructor. said he was satisfied the pres
. ent programme was the best that could Be
l prepared. THE construction OF gGnboa-s
/ is a comparatively small matter" he CON
1 tiuued while &c takes four years 20 build
I battleships In the case Of the Kca-sargs
and the Kentucky the Newport News
| Company was four vars and h3lS in con-
| structiEg them Gunboats can be impro-
vised. ] sincerely hope Congress win
adopt the committees programme
Rear Admiral Charles O'NCu Chief %
Ordnance. also expressed qualification a,
the proposed action OF the committee we
must consider" he said. that some day
the fleet CT another nation may sail into
Manila Bay. and il beh0oves us 20 be pre-
pared 20 meet H. President Cleveland sail
in one Of his messages that "a nation Un-
prepared for war invites aggression"