Evening star., 1901-11-16

" v
China coast and with our forces operating
on shore, until the evacuation of the Chi
nese capital by all but a legation guard
since which time they have been so dis
tributed as to readily cooperate in case OF
an emergency.
The efficiency of the squadron in Asiatio
waters, the Secretary says, reflects credit
upon the commander-in-chef and his
squadron commanders.
The SubiG Bay Naval Station.
Referring to the proposed naval station
at Olongapo in subig bay, the Secretary
says:
THE necessity for such a station is ap-
parent and appropriation should be made
for it. Our interests in that part of the
world necessitate the presence of a large
fleet in Asiatic waters at all times. While
il, time of peace these vessels can be
docked and repaired in foreign dockyards
or sent thousands of miles away to ouI
own naval stations on the Pacific, 1t goes
without saying that this would not be the
base in time of war on our part, and even
of war in which we might be neutral
National Naval Reserve.
On the subject of a national naval re-
serve Secretary Long says:
'I lave again to call attention to the
pressing need of a national naval reserve
force from which to draw for sea service
Immediately upon an outbreak of war. This
subject has received attention in previous
reports, and recommendations have been
made for the enrolment and organization
of such a national body, to be under the
general direction of the Navy Department
and subject to the call of the chief execu-
tive in times of national emergency.
THE results of the Spanish-American
war were such as to assure every one hav-
ing knowledge of naval matters that steps
should at once be taken to meet the one
certain and positive requirement which will
face the nation upon an outbreak of war
the immediate necessity at that eXigent
time, if it comes, of a large increase in the
men of the navy from an existing reserve
an increase which must, in the MAN, be
made from the Seafaring class, who, having
acquired the habit of the sea, are at home
on the water. There is no better way of
insuring such a reserve than by the meas
ure now urged.
Our pressing need is for such a reserve
a body to go to the front on board ship at
once upon the outbreak of war, or when 1t
is imminent.
Next to this will come the defense of the
coast, and for such purpose the Naval
Militia will be essential.
Il see reasons for both organizations. and
have heretofore done all possible to aid the
one now eXisting-the Naval Militia and to
convince Congress of the necessity for the
authorization of the other-the national
naval reserve
Naval Academy Recommendations.
Favorable consideration is invited to the
following recommendations in regard to the
Naval Academy:
That the title of "midshipman," which is
full of historic associations, be restored
and substituted for naval Cadet" that the
for Io
duced; that an engineering experimental
laboratory be established at the Naval
Academy for the use of the cadets in their
studies; that postgraduate course of in
Struction in engineering be authorized; that
no cadet shall hereafter be appointed whose
age is under fifteen or over eighteen on Oc-
tober of the year of entrance to the Naval
Academy; that the salaries of the civilian
professors at the Naval Academy be re-
vised; that training vessel be built for the
Naval Academy sufficiently large to accom-
modate the entire corps of cadets
The Secretary personally recommends
that the number Of naval cadets be in
creased 80 per cent and that the President
appoint ten cadets at large annually
barracks for Enlisted Men.
Attention is again invited to the recon-
mendations of the chiefs Of the bureaus of
navigation and yards and docks that bar
racks be substituted for receiving ships for
the purpose of housing the enlisted force
when waiting transfer to sea-going vessels.
In this connection the department recon-
mends the consideration Of a plan for gen
eral naval rendezvous at some suitable
place, to be Independent of the nayy ward
and, while including commodious barracks
for the whole enlisted force, devoted also
to the training Of enlisted men of the arti.
ficer branch of the service.
building for Hydrographic Omce
ha trJo
ton of the chief photographer for the con-
struction of suitable building in this civ
for use as photographic office. He rec.
ommends an equalization Of the pay of ofa
GERS of the navy and marine corps Will
that the officers of the army of corre.
spending rank; also that the law author;z.
ing the retirement of petty officers and on
listed men who have served thirty wears in
the navy be amended so as to include with.
IN SAID period OF service all honorable ser.
vice in the United States navy. marine
corps and army
The Navy Department bears witness ?,
the utility of the present system of tn;
eiNlI S service. II prevents favoritism," says
Secretary Long, "and makes merit the tes
OF entrance into place and of standing anf
advance in it. and the result has been :
decided increase in efficiency In some case.
where the examinations Of the civil service
commission. which commission this depar rt
nent has always found most helpful hay,
not been able to supply the needs of tn,
department it has been permitted to af1on
within itself the methods of that commits
SIGN. thus recognizing in local application
the general principle of what is now an
approved REFORM"
Progress upon vessels now under con
structfon, the Secretary says, has beer
somewhat delayed by reason of strikes anf
the non-delivery of material on contrac
time.
Contracts for Armor Plate.
Under authority vested in the department
by Congress contracts were signed Noyem
Der IS. 1900, for over 81 900 tons of armol
required for vessels authorized and build
ing. Comparing the tests made in thi:
country with reports of those made abroad