The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-18


This may be due in part 20 the publica-
ton of Captain Mahan's Influence of Ses
Power Upon History" but whatever The
motive, it seems undeniable that all the
great nations of the world have definitely
reached the conclusion that military powe;
must henceforth mean naval power; that
the great battles of the future will be
fought upon the sea, and will be contests
OF such titanic forces as the world has
never seen.
1t has been recognized that the seaports
and commerce are vital points OF every
nation possessing seacoast England has
long admitted the fact that her navy is
a sine qua non of her national existence
and her policy for many years past has
been to keep its power equal to that OF
the combined navies of any other two
nations. and whatever the increase of other
navies, this policy has been resolutely
maintained without regard TO expense. She
is expending during the current fiscal year
for new ships alone $40 800. 900, against
s25, 000, 900 during the year 1S97-'9s, and
there will BE- completed and commissioned
during this year five rirst-class battleships,
fourteen protected ships, seven unpro-
tected ships. and tweDty-four torpedo boat
destroyers all aggregating 16l,20 tons
displacement
In France the estimated cost OF the
new ships under construction is S11S, S25,-
400, of which it is proposed TO eApend
s21, 649, APO during the current year. These
vessels comprise seven first-class battle
ships eighteen frst-class armored cruis-
ers, nineteen smaller cruisers. fifty-six
torpedo boats, and eight submarine boats.
OF these, five of the battleships, six ar
mored cruisers. fifteen cruisers. thirty
three torpedo boats, and two submarine
boats will be commissioned during this
year
In Russia ii is proposed TO eNpend for
new ships this year s22. 53l. t05, against
si4 ,Sa2, ssJ during the previous year.
The German Emperor is eXe7Ting all mis-
influence toward practically doubling
the naval force of his country, realizing
that ony by SO doing can the prestige Of
Germany as a first-class power be main
tanned
II remains TO be seen what Congress
will do for the American Navy. OF all
nations, Great Britain only excepted, the
United States has vital need of q power
full navy, because she has three thousand
miles of vulnerable seacoast, which can
only be protected by naval force. and now
that America has distant and widely seat
communications with. the need becomes
more pressing tnan ever.
New Ern for the Navy.
Beginning with 1883, q new era dawBed
fox the American Navy. The
United States began the building
of the White Squadron which
has been appropriately termed the
nucleus of the new Navy" Since then
the unusual development OF traffic and
navigation, and the acquisition Of far-off
territories. with other reasons, have caus-
ed demands for greater expenditure in
building and maintaining fighting ships.
Since 1883 the progress made in naval de-
relopment has been noteworthy.
The following frst-class bsttleships
were in course of construction al the be-
ginning OF this year:
Alabama -Displacement, II. 500 ions; ~
knots speed: 10000 tons indicated horse
power; main battery, Is guns; secondary,
battery. Is guns; long Whitehead torpe
do tubes; officers, 30: men. s53; launched.
1885
Illinois-D Displacement 1ls5e5; speed IL
knots; horsepower. 10000; main battery,
is guns; secondary. rs guns; long White
head torpedo tubes; officers 40; men. 453;
launched, 1898.
kearsarge- Displacement. 1l,525; speed,
IL knots: horsepower. 1874: main bat
terry, % guns; secondary. % guns; long
Whitehead torpedo tubes; officers, 40;
men, 513; launched, 1898.
Kentucky-Displaceme 11.525; speed,
j, knots; horsepower, Iu.000; ma n batter,
% guns; secondary. 80 gu.s; long White
head torpedo tubes; officers. 40: men, 5i4;
launched, 1898.
neutrality-suspicious. 1880; speed, is
knots; horsepower. 1900; main battery,
20 guns; secondary, &c guns; submerged
torpedo tubes; officers, 40: men, AS.
Missouri = Displacement. 12.500 tons;
battery, 20 guns; secondary &c guns; 2
submerged torpedo tubes; officers, 40; men,
AS.
ohio-Displacement. 1880; speed, is
knots; horsepower, 10000; main battery, 20
guns; secondary. rs guns; submerged
torpedo tubes; officers, 30; men, z7s.
Observation-Disclosures II, sos; speed,
IL knots; horsepower, 10000; main battery,
IS guns; secondary. rs guns; long White
head torpedo tubes: officers, IS; men, 453;
launched 1888
The construction of the above-named
vessels was begun in the years 1896, 1897,
ana los, respectively. When completed
they will constitute a feet of the
most modern warships equipped with the
latest improvements known TO the sci
cnce OF marine engineering. and the Blu
reau OF Ordnance. Especial atten-
tion is being given TO practical
bility in all directions, adaptability 10 quick
and effective maneuyring. the most power
full guns, and great speed. OF the above
named vessels the Alabama, Illinois. Kear-
sarge, Kentucky, and Wisconsin will be
commissioned during the early part of this
ha Maf, nd
TO be completed next year.
After the termination OF the Spanish
war the fleet gained quite a different sig
niiicance. because America, as a result Of
the coniiint had entered the ranks of
colonial powers and required ships OF large
coal capacity and great speed. The pro-
gramme for the Increase of the Navy. for
which s55, 00o. coo were voted for new con-
structions and ornaments alone. was
therefore changed and on March 3. 1893.
the building of three sheathed battle
ships of 800 tons, the Georgia. New Jer-
sey. and Pennsylvania, with a contem-
plated speed OF nineteen knots: three large
armored cruisers sheathed, of u 900 tons
the West Virginia Nebraska. and Cali
fornia with speed of twenty-five knots.
and seven sheathed, protected cruisers of
1900 tons, with speed OF seventeen knots.
with the exception Of the Albany, which
is to have speed of twenty knots. was
authorized. The indicated horsepower of
The cruisers the Denver, Des Moines,
Chattanooga, Galveston. Tacoma. and
Cleveland. is 800 and that OF the Al
bany 1880. The New Orleans. which was
commissioned March is. 1893. and is at
fached TO the North Atlantic station, be-
longs also to this class. and her indi-
Gated horsepower on trial was 1900. All
of the above cruisers are to be fitted with
rw.Hf.n
engines, water tube boilers, decks and
3ciner work OF fire PROCEED wood They