The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-09-15

Ter the present administration the
has shown itself worthy Of its best
ions. The great victories ut Manila
ind Santiago were in no sense acci-
They were the results of years
reful training Of officers and men
he thorough preparation Of the fleets
he crucial test OF war. For this
ration, this readiness to meet the
me moment for which a navy is
ructed and maintained. those who
ulster the affairs Of the navy should
credit. The glory goes to our he
who are in command ahoat, and to
officers and men who seize the OPP
mites of war to render conspicuous
ee; but in remembering them one
d not forget those who labor with
easing to secure the feet in u con-
Of high efficiency, and to place at
disposal Of the commanding officers
guidance of supplies, without which
leet Is powerless.
early as Jan. IL, 1898, more than
nth before the Maine was destroyed
e harbor Of Havana. the Secretary
G Navy began to mobilize the ships
e navy and to take such measures
rould place at the disposal of the
RS in command the full measure Of
naval force.
mediatcly upon the passage Of the
ppropriating $50, 900, 900 for the ma
| defense, board was organized
he purchase of auxiliary ships, and
careful examination 102 ships Of
us types were secured at a total
of $17,956,S50. or these vessels
two, the New Orleans and the AL
were strictly vessels Of war. The
8 were merchant ships, pleasure
IS, tugs. ETC., which were rapidly
hauled at the different navy yards
ded with such light armor protec-
as was practical. and suitably
Il.
tween March Is and June 80 all
vessels were purchased and as rap
as overhauled were placed in COM
on and put into active service. They
used not only as auxiliary war yes
but to supply the fleets with coal
ammunition and with fresh water
fresh provisions. For the care of
lex and wounded the Solace was fit
tut as complete hospital, and to
repairs to vessels at sea the Vulcan
fitted out as n modern machine shop.
der to meet the increased demands
he navy yards, it was necessary to
ically double the force between Feb.
i'd the middle OF April.
addition to the ships which were
to the navy by purchase. fifteen
ne cutters and four lighthouse ten
were transferred from the Treasury
rtmcnt to the navy, and four of the
steamers Of the International Nav
IN Company and one Of the Pacific
Steamship Company were charter
There were in all 1913 ships added to
ocular naval establishment. and it
ne at once necessary to provide OFF,
and men to man them. For this
Sc 225 officers on the retired list
ordered to active duty, $50 officers
appointed for temporary service,
be enlisted force was increased from
to over $4,000 men.
was an enormous undertaking to
iall these additional ships ready for
ervicc, to secure the necessary guns
sem, and to keep the fleets supplied
coal. ammunition and provisions.
his was only part Of the work
the Navy Department had in
For the protection OF the coasts
United States an auxiliary naval
was created, which was ofiicered
tanned by the naval militia Of the
a States. A coast signal service
established, which kept practically
tire coast line from Maine to Texas
observation, to give warning Of the
ach Of an enemy's vessel or of sus-
s craft Of any kind.
Operations of the fleets Of the Ash
nd North Atlantic squadrons are so
nown that 1t is hardly necessary to
OF them in any detail. Their work
well done that the power Of Spain
eept from the sea, and Cuba, Porto
ind the Philippines, which she had
terned for centuries, were taken