The Atlanta constitution., 1901-12-09

portion; for the exact numbers and char
acter l refer you to the report OF the
secretary of the navy. But there IS
something We need even more than addi-
tional ships, and this is additional officers
and men. To provide battleShlps ana
cruisers and then lay them up, with the
expectation of leaving them unnamed
until they are needed in actual war,
would be worse than folly; IL would be
IL crime against the nation.
ITO send any warship against n compe-
tent enemy unless those aboard ii have
been trained by years of actual sea SER
vice, including incessant gunnery prac-
tice. would he to invite not merely dis
aster. but the Interest shame and hu-
initiation. -Four thousand additional sea-
men and 1909 additional marines should
be provided: and an increase in the Of
ficers should be provided by making q
large addition to the classes at Annapo-
lis. There is one small matter which
should be mentioned in connection with
Annapolis The pr tentious and unmean-
ing title of naval cadet should be abol-
ishCd; the title of 'midShipman. fun of
historic association. should be restored.
Every detail ashore which can be
performed by a civilian should he so per-
formed, the officer being kept for his
special duty in the sea service. Above
ALL gunnery practice should be unceasing.
lt IS important to have our navy of ade-
quate size. but it IS even more important
that ship for shin ii should equal in ef-
ficiency any navy in the world. This is
possible only with highly drilled crews
and officers and this in turn imperatively
demands continuous and progrt ssive in
struction in target practice ship handling,
squadron tactics. and geEral discipline.
we now have seventeen battleships ap-
propriated for. of which nine are COM
pleted and have been commissioned for
actual service. The remaining eight will
be ready in from two to four years. but IL
viii take at least that time to recruit
ana train the men to fight them. 1t is
of vast concern that we have trained
crews ready for the vessels by the time
they are commissioned"
President Roosevelt suggests that lead
ing graduates of the naval academy
should be assigned to the combatant
branches. the line and the marines. The
general board, he states. is fostering the
creation of n general staff. thereby pro-
vidinS for official and general recOgni-
ton of the true meaning of a great war
flect-the best men and the best ships.
Tho president praises the naval militia
forces ana says:
"But I'm addition we should at once
provide for n national naval reserve. or
ganized and trained under the direction
of the navy department. and subject TO
the call Of the chief executive whenever
war becomes imminent. II SHOULD be
composed Of graduates of the Naval
academy. graduates of the naval militia.
officers and crews of coast line steamers.
longshore sChooners. fishing vessels and
steam yachts, together with the coast
population about such centcrs as me-
saving stations and light houses
"The American people must either build
and ma ;ntain an adequate navy or else
make up their minds definitely to aCccpt
q secondary position in International al
fairs not merely i'm political but in com
mercial matters. 1t has been wei said
that there is no Surer way of courtins
national disaster than to be 'opulent.
aggressive and unarmed.'