The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-12-07

china is notable as the clearest, briefest
and most accurate yet available. and
Il is a singular yet perfectly logical
solecism that the most gallant and ef.
fectiye work OF the navy this year was
performed on land; that is. by Mccana
and his brave marines lighting as In
fantry all the way from Tien Tsln to
Pekin. where the little handful from
the Newark. under Capt Myers. had
held their position on the wall OF the
Tartar city. commanding the Amerl-
can logauon for more than three
months. and resisting all attempts OF
the greatly ouinumberlng forces to dis
lodge thsn. Secretary Long SO far rec
ognizas McCaTs merit as to cite ia
detail the English vice-Admiral Sey-
mour's commendatlon. and to support
it with facts showing how well It was
meTiScd. In his own words, TO record
the instances Of gaIlantry would almost
be equivalent to publication Of the
entire roster"
The secretary. in concluding his re-
port, goes quite fully into the unjust
and inadequate method of distributing
awardsfor distinguished service, pointing
out that honors and emoluments ought
not 10 be taken from brother officers
guilty OF no fault, as was the result
during the war with Spain. by which
some officers were actually left in low
er relative positions than they occupied
before the war began, and recommends
strongly either Of two bills pending in
the last congress providing for honor.
courage and service medals. which the
secretary recommends should be so far
retroactive ss to recognize the unre-
warded OF the Spanish war. The sscre-
tary concludes his report with tri-
butte to the merltorious officers. which
is characteristic and appreclative.
They are found in every line Of the
naval service. not only in battle. which
makes service conspicuous. but on the
voyage. in watches along the coast, in
expeditions TO distant islands. in the
rying responsibilities Of command often
inaided and alone. In the unmartsal
work Of transportation. in hospital and |
IN station. in surveys and soundings,
n instruction and discipline. in the in
stimably valuable preparatory work Of |
he bureaus and navy yards. and in all |
he shifting variety OF exacting duties
n which service. II not conspicuous.
5 none the less deserving and is rend
.red with zeal. loyalty and ability
IS heroic in the hOnely routine OF COM
non place as when exhibited on the
ield Of glory. There is no finer type
II the public servant trained TO high
iense Of his official obligations. and no
land in which the honor Of his country
md the rights Of its citizens are safer.
han are to be found in the pavy Of the
United States"
Of the operations Of the department.
which the report takes up in detail. Of
hief interest are the armor contract
or 5000 tons at 1852 as against bids
4 $3.50 and original price Of S545. and
he consequent avoidance 3f ths neees-
ity for the t5,OOO.OOO plant authorized;
he acceptance Of the battleships
iearsarge and Kentucky and the
orpedo boats Craven and Dahl
ren, the completion Of the Ala
anna. contracts for the six protected
ruisers. Denver, Des Mcines. Chatta-
ooga, Galveston, Tacoma and Cleve-
and, TO be completed by the middle Of
he summer Of 1902, and the recon-
lendation that but two battleships and ;
wo armored be asked from congress
t the next session. Even this addition
our force is shown. however, to be
ar below what is regarded as neces-
airy by other nations. OF the seven al /
ed powers participating in the Chinese
rama, all but little Japan laid down
his year vastly more naval tonnage
han the United States. The table. in
eed, is 50 significant, and perhaps so
to those gentlemen, a month
go alarmed lest the era of Imperialism
'as upon us, that it is worth giving
ntire:
LAID DOWN IN 1900
Battle Torpedo
ships. Cruisers. vessels. Total ,
,atlon. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. {
ngland :. 1900 1900 5000 141, 200 (
rance A5. 100 5730 50.82n {