Evening star., 1901-11-16
Urgent Recommendations of Secre-
tary Long.
ARGUMENT In His ANNUAL REPORT
Asks for Three Battle Ships and
Two Armored Cruisers
NAVAL OBSERVATORY HEAD

Secretary Longs annual report this year
viii take rank as one of the shortest docu-
ments of that kind in the history of the
government. 1t is a concise statement of
the operations Of the navy during the past
fiscal year, its condition at the present time
and it's pressing needs for the future. It's
most important chapter is a brief argu-
mcnt for an increase of the navy.
The navy today" says Secretary Long
lis far greater factor in our relations
with the world than it was before the re-
cent national expansion which now includes
Porto Rico, the Hawaiian Islands, the vast
area of land and sea in the Philippines,
and our obligations to Cuba. If we are
t. have navy at all it must be commen-
Surate with these great eXtensions-greater
in international even than Intentional
Importance. This necessarily involves the
construction of more naval vessels, their
manning, exercise and maintenance
The Secretary then states separately the
recOmmC ndatons of the general board of
which Admiral Dewey is president, on this
subject and those Of the board of con-
struction. The former board recommended
four frst-clasS battle ships. two frSt-class
armoTed cruisers. four picket vessels, eish-
teen gunboats, six steel sailing training
ships and one collier. The board of con-
strUction recommended three sea going
battle ships, two armOred cruisers, eighteen
training ships. four picket boats and four
tugbOats.
The Departments RecOKnme N ndatiOn.
All the vessels thus recommended"
says Secretary Long, are desirable in the
prospective and harmonious development
of our naval force. \ larger increase than
usual is also desirable in view of the fact
that none was made last year. Some of
the vessels above recommended, however,
can better than others be omitted for the
present from the list and await approDria-
ton hereafter Among these are the gun
boats of 63) tons displacement. in ease the
picket boats of similar dimensions are au-
thOrized; also the repair ship and portion
of each of the other classes of smaller war
vessels. The department, therefore, rec
onmendS:
Three first-class battle ships, two first
class armored cruisers, three gunboatS,
ach of about 1000 tons trial displacement;
three gunboats each of about 200 tons
trial displacement, for insular service;
three picket boats, each of about 900 tons
trial displacement; three steel sailing train
ing ships each of about 1000 tons trial
displacement; one collier of about 15,00o
tons trial displacement; four tugbOats.
THE department will submit to Congress
in December next, directed by the last
naval appropriation bill, general descrip-
tiCn of two sea-going battle ships and two
arnlored cruisers, according to which the
battle ships and cruisers above recon-
mended should be built if appropriation is
made therefor"
Secretary Long renews his recommended
ton of last year that the office of vice ad
miral be revived. for whose especial bene-
fit he does not say, but presumably for
Rear Admiral Sampson.
More Officers and Men Wanted.
Regarding the naval personnel the Sec
retary says:
THE need of line officers for sea duty be-
comes steadily more pressing, and in case it
should become necessary to man all the
vessels of our present fleet the required
number is not available, and 1 recommend
that the number of lieutenants be increased
from 800 to 30, and that the limit of the
number of Junior lieutenants and ensigns
be made GOO.
Il cannot too earnestly call attention to
the necessity for an increase of this most
important branch of the navy. AS with the
officers SO with the enlisted men. The ships
of the navy have been greatly increased in
number, but commensurate steps have not
been taken to provide the necessary crews
for them. | recommend that the present
enlisted force be increased by 1000 men.
Il recommend that the Marine Corps be
increased by 100 men, as recommended. by
the general board.
II concur with the chief naval construc-
tor that there should be an increase in his
corps. With more ships to build there must
be more constructors.
Some increase in the corps of civil en-
gineers is necessary in view OF the great
increase in yard and dock construction
AS the original reason for the creation
of the office of professor of mathematics
has ceased to exist, l renew my recommen-
dation that the statute authorizing appoint
ment of professors of mathematics be so
amended that, without disturbing those
who now hold office, no further appoint
ments shall be made
The Asiatic Station.
According to the report the vessels of the
Asiatic squadron, detailed for service in
Philippine waters have been employed in
cooperating with military forces in
maintaining effective patrol of the va
rious islands, and in preventing the insur-
gents from receiving supplies of arms. Since
the capture of Aguinaldo, in which OPERA
tion the L. S. S. Vicksburg took a con-
spicuous part. the department has reduced
its force on this station.
The vessels in Chinese waters have kept
in touch with the important ports on the