The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-28
The American Navy.

As far as we have been able to study
tho annual report of the Secretary oil the
Navy. jus. issued, it has our unqualified
endorsement and support. If it be open to
any criticism il is that MIR. Long has not
gone far enough in urging rapid expan-
sion for the navy. Two new battleships.
two armcred cruisers, six light-draft
gunboats, and few other craft OF less
Importance. are well enough in their way;
but the new position of the United States
in relation to world politics. and the prob
ability that we may have TO fight Europe
some day for the protection of our Mica
ragua Canal coast line, render it highly
essential that we should have as big and
as powerful navy as that possessed by
the greatest naval power of the present. .
The Times always has been and still is
opposed tn Q nent enlargement of
hment. The navy is
:. Legitimate expan-
is as much desired
Republicans. In our
be a battleship for
the Union, as fast
raised to forty-five
10 keep on building.
Mexico, and Okla
LAM viii very soon be admitted. In adj
dition to the forty-five or fortyeight bat
tieships, we should have a full supple
ment of armored and protected cruisers,
gunboats, torpedo boats, and destroyers.
In short, before a great while we shall
feel the need of a magnificent navy; end
IL must be provided if we are to maintain
our paramountcy in the Western and safe
guard our possessions, rights, and inter-
ests in the Eastern Hemisphere. The
country is united upon the policy of rapid
naval increase. II may be depended upon
to support any proper measure having
that purpose in view.
Secretary Long begins his report with
an interesting account of the operations
of the navy during the past year in the
Philippine and Chinese waters, and. refers
pleasantly to the hearty cooperation Of
the army with its sister service. He COM
pliments the officers. sailors. and marines
who took part in the operations between
Taku and Tientsin, and the gallant COM
rany OF marines under Captain Myers who
defended the American Legation during
the memorable siege in the Chinese capt.
tai.
The report deals with matter which
has been given by far too little attention
in Congress, but which must be taken UP
at once and acted on, unless legislators
tn 1ad hnp
iessly Cor an indefinite time. We go en-
spending millions for splendid war vessels
and then fail to make the least prepara-
lion for manning them when completed.
We have not today sufficient numaer of
officers and men 10 put the total number
OF our vessels in commission, even IL all
hands now on shore duty were called into
acquisition. Mr.. Long says:
The need of officers for sea duty is Steadily
gToH ING. and at times the Department j. seriously
einiisrTsrsd by lack 81 necessary officers TO prop
sriy man vessels required for immediate service
This need will be still greater when vessels
authorized building completed and ready
;1r commission. The report of the Bureau OF Nav
;eation represents that 1T would bc impossible at
the present time TO available fleet were
an emergency 10 occur demanding such action.
Attention Is earnestly invited TO the detailed stig
tee"iA- OF I'M, report ann 10 tne STATEMENT mat
with the COMP ieiion OF vessels now under con-
strGction an immediate increase will be needed in
the enlisted iesce Of not less than five thousand
msa."
We are much pleased with the Secre-
tary's reference TO the success of an ex-
pertinent which has attracted widespread
interest not only in the United States, but
In professional circles abroad. The text
tells its own story:
For many years II has been found difficult
20 enlist sufficient number of the seamen class
% supply the demand To obyiate this difficulty
the department decided to train its own seamen
from raw material and during the past year has |
assigned five vessels to the special duty Of fitting
tansisnen between the ages Of twenty one and 4
ewenty six fnr the higher naval ratings.
THIS nsthod diders from that Of the appren.