New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-27
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
A VAST PROGRAMME UNDER CON
SIDERATION BY THE CON
STRUCTION BOARD.
10y rELreRArH 10 THE TRIBUNE

washington Oct. ga vaster programme for
sncrease Of the Navy than has ever before been
contemplated on this side of the Atlantic is now
under consideration oy the Board Of Construc-
lion. and. II approved by the President as it is
expected 10 be. IL is TO be urged upon Congress
A. the coming session. The project involves the
construction Of not less than forty warships
ranging in formidabty and size from armored
cruisers and battleships Of about $4,000 tons
displacement down to gunboats of one-thirtleth
that size and including various special types
Tot hitherto built for naval purposes. The Board
OF Rear-Aduirals. which has taken up the sub
jet under especial directions from Secretary
Long. at a proJracted meeting to-day made sub
stantial progress toward reaching a conclusion
OF tentative schedules submitted by its members
last week and discussed at several intervening
meetings. It is availing itself of the highest
military expert opinions in the service, in order
that its report VIII not be open TO unfavorable
criticism among naval officers. it being the
pressed intention Of the Department 10 dscour-
age sny opposition TO a line of policy when
once adopted
CLASSES OF SHIPS PROPOSED.
The programme viii include no less than
FIX ships "of the heaviest arrnor and most de-
sgtructive ordnance With the highest practical
sUeed and greatest attainable radius of action
v,non 4 DISPLACEMENT Of about 1900 tons COM
nining the most desirable features of line of
battleships and cruisers. These vessels must
be equal in offensive and defensive qualities to
any proposed or designed abroad. and be able TO
keep the sea for a longer period than any war
.ships now afoat. At least twenty gunboats are
proposed Of several types, all Of light draught,
with large rapid fire batteries and accommoda-
lions 70 give comfort 70 officers and crews sta
1ione5 in The tropics. All Of these gunboats will
nd.
sarv. TO Chinese interior ports Under their own
,steam. IN their plans speed is TO he sacrificed
10 staying powers. and every effort will be
made 70 fit them for the especial duty Of pre-
serving order ashore rather than for operations
against naval enemy.
Provision is made in the programme for an in
crease in the torpedo fotilla by ten new yes
sells. including new type Of torpedo cruiser on
The lines Of existing torpedo boat destroyers, but
OF greater displacement. speed and armament,
with q notable development OF long distance
cruising power in order that they may
company fleet Of battleships across the ocean.
Several Of the other new vessels in this category
are 70 be submarine. If success attends the i'm
proved Holland boats now under contract and
70 be finished next summer. The new sub
marines viii have greater coal capacity, giving
them a much wider offensive radius.
The programme viii also include three armed
golfers, larger than any vessels Of this class
ever built for a government. and especially de-
signed for service from a fuel base although in
times Of peace they viii be constantly employed
ST carrying coal from the Atlantic coast TO the
ISLAND possessions in the Pacific. They are to
have enormous capacity. enabling each of them
70 deliver 10000 tons of coal TO Manila Guam
or Page Page in less time than is possible
70 make the voyage with half that amount 5000
tons being the capacity of the largest Golfers
purchased for the with Spain.
Another large unarmed ship which is recon-
Eended is a floating machine shop of about 5000
TONS displacement 10 cost about S1.0O0OO0, for
duty in repairing naval vessels at great dis
1ances from Government yards, especially in the
PHILIPPINES, where she would cruise 70 the vari-
Gus ports where gunboats and other vessels re-
CURED her services. Her design grows out Of
the experience with the Vulcan at Guantanamo.
when that vessel obviaUed the necessity Of with
drawing half the feet from the Santiago block
ede.
This programme shows how alive naval Off
GERS have become TO new conditions requiring
American naval vessels to operate al great dis
tances from home.