The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1901-12-06
More Men Required.

To send any warShfp against compe-
tent enemy unless those aboard ii have
been trained by years Of actual sea serv-
fee, including incessant gunnery practice.
would be to invite not merely disaster
but the bitterest shame and humiliation
Four thousand additional seamea and a
thousand additional marines should be
provided. and an increase I'm the officers
should be provided by making a large ad-
dition to the classes at Annapolis. There
Is one small matter which should be men,
toned in connection with Annapolis The
pretentious and unmeaning title Of naval
cadet should be abolished; the title Of
"nidshipman." full of historic associa-
ton. should be restored
Even in time OF peace q warship should
be used until il wears out. for only so can
Il be kept At to respond to any emergen-
cy. The onicers and men alike should be
kept as much as possible on blue water.
for IL Is there only they can learn their
duties as they should be learned The big
vessels should be maneIvered IA squad
rons containing not merely battleehips.
but the necessary proportion Of cruisers
and scouts The torpedo boats should be
handled by the younger officers in such
manner as viii best At the latter to take
responsibility ana meet the emergencies
Of actual warfare.
livery detail ashore which can be per-
formed by a civilian should be so per-
formed. the officer being kept for his spe-
cial duty in the sea service. Above all,
gunnery practice should be unceasing. II
Is important TO have our navy OF ade-
Quste size. but IL 10 even more impor-
tant that, ship for ship. IL should equal
In efficiency any navy In the world.
This is possible only with highly drilled
crews and officers. and this in turn I'm
peratively demands continuous and pro-
gressive instruction in target practice.
ship handling. squadron tactics and gen.
eral discipline. Our ships must be assem-
bled in sQuadrons actively cruising away
from harbors and never lons; at anchor
The resulting wear upon engines and
hulls must be endured battieship worn
out in long training Of oficers and men is
well paid for by the results. while on the
other hand. no matter in how excellent
condition it Is useless IL the crew be not
expert
The Necessity Of Drill.
We now have seventeen battleships ap-
propriated for. OF which nine are complet-
ed and have been commissioned for actual
service. The remaining eight will be ready
In from two to four years. but il will
take at least that time to recruit and
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 COM
missioned Good ships and good guns are
simply good weapons. and the best weap-
OtlS are useless save III the DdDCS OF men
who know how to fight with them The
men must be trained and drilled under a
thorough and well planned system Of pro-
greSsiye instruction. while the recruiting
must be carried on with still greater Wig
or. Every effort must be made TO exalt
the main function Of the officer-the COM
mand Of men The leading graduates Of
the Naval academy should be assigned TO
the combatant branches. the line and ma
rines.
Many OF the essentials of success are al
ready recognized by the general board.
which. as the central office of a growing
staff, is moving steadily toward a proper
war efficiency and a proper efficiency OF
the whole navy under the secretary This
general board. by fostering the creation Of
a general STAFF, is providing for the off,
cial and then the general recognition OF
our altered conditions as a nation and CO
the true meaning OF a great war fleet
which meaning is. first the best men, and
second. the best ships.
The naval militia forces are state or
CARNATIONS and are trained for coast serv-
ice, and in event OF war they VIII consti-
tute the inner line OF defense They
should receive hearty encoura cement from
the general government
Buy. in addition we should at once pro
vide Tor national naval reserve organ
lied 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 q req
auxiliary TO the naval seagoiug peace es-
adjustment and offer material 20 be
drawn on al once for manning our ship
in time of WAT II should be composed q
graduates OF the Naval academy. gradu-
ates OF the naval militia. officers ana
crews OF coast line steamers, longshore