The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-16
A Number of Gunboats and Three
Steel Sailing Ships for the Train
ing of Apprentices and Recruits.
AN INCREASE IN PERSONNEL
SEVERAL HUNDRED OFFICERS
NEEDED AND 5000 MORE sEAMEN.
No Estimate of Costs Is Submitted
Civil Service I'm the Navy-Mis-
ceIIaneous Information.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-The report OF
Secretary of the Navy John d. Long was
made public to-day. The first part Of the
document covers the operations of the fleet
in Chinese and Philippine waters. A re-
duction in the force has been made since
the Vicksburg took part l.. the capture of
Aguinaldo. The secretary says the vessels
I'm Chinese waters have kept in touch with
the important ports on the China coast and
with forces operating shore. until the
evacuation of the Chinese capital by all
but legation guard since which time they
have been so distributed as to readily CO.
operate in case OF an emergency. The ef-
ficiency of the squadron in Asiatic waters
reflects credit upon the commander-in-chief
and his squadron commanders. On the 18th
of July. 1901, I'm the presence of Rear Ad-
miral Rodgers, u. s. N. second in COM
mand OF the Asiatic station, of Rear Admi-
raj Beardslee. u. s. N, retired, and other
naval officers, and OF a large number of
distinguished Japanese officials, a monu-
ment was unveiled and dedicated at Kuri-
hama. Uraga, Japan. marking the landing
place of Commodore Perry on his historic
visit to that country In July. 1853"
In regard to the North Atlantic squadron
he says the chief duties performed were
important surveys at several points. The
re-establishment of the European station is
noted The operations OF the apprentice
and training squadrons are approvingly
mentioned.
In regard to the navy personnel the Sec
retary says:
''The need OF line officers for sea duty
becomes steadily more pressing. and in case
II should become necessary to man all the
vessels or our present fleet the required
number Is not available, and recommend
that the number of lieutenants be Increased
from coo to $50. and that the limit OF the
number or Junior lieutenants and ensigns
be made 600. l concur with the chief naval
constructor that there should be an in
crease in his corps. With more ships to
build there must be more constructors.
Some increase in the corps of civil en-
g1neers Is necessary In view of the great
increase in yard and dock construction.
II 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 in
creased 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 5000 men.
81 recommend that the marine corps be
Increased by $50 men, as recommended by
the general board / renew my recon-
mendation that the office of vice admiral
be revived.
OTHER NAVIES.
comparison OF the number of commits
stoned officers OF the chief powers in the
world is set forth in table, showing the
United States to rank seventh in this i'm
portant particular. the countries preceding
it in the list being England. France Ger
many. Russia, Japan and Italy. The same
countries precede it in the total strength
In all ratings Certain details Of proposed
increases to the personnel of foreign navies
are carefully set forth.
Among the recommendations made on be-
half of the Naval Academy the follow
ing:
That the title of 'midshipman' which is
fuil or historic associa tions. be restored and
substituted for naval cadet
Ihat an engineering experimental lab
oratory De established at the Naval Acad-
emy for the use OF the cadets i'm their
studies, and that a postgraduate course
lied.
That no cadet shall hereafter be ap-
pointed whose age is under fifteen or over
eighteen on Oct. OF the year of entrance
10 the Naval Academy.
That a training vessel be built for the
Naval Academy sufficiently large to ac-
commodate the entire corps of cadets.
That the number OF cadets at the Naval
Academy be increased fifty per cent as
recommended by the general board and
Inat theTe De appointed annually by the
President ten at large"
After alluding to the operat IS of the
naval militia during the past season, the
secretary says:
Il have again to call attention TO the
pressing need OF a national naval reserve
force from which 10 draw for sea service
Immediately upon an outbreak of war
This subject has received attention in pre-
vious reports, and recommendations have
been made for the enrolment and organi-
zation OF such a national BODY TO he nm
direction
partment and subject to the call of the
chief executive In times of national emer-
The results Of the Spanish-American war
were such as 10 assure everyone having
knowledge of naval matters that stems
should az once be taken 10 meet th, one
certain and positive requirement which will
face the Nation upon an outbreak of war
the immediate necessity at that exigent
time. II IL comes, of large increase i'm the
men OF the navy from an existing reserve
an increase which must. in the main. 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
IA body 90 go 10 the front on board shin
at once upon the outbreak OF war or when
4 is imminent. Next 10 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
10 convince Congress Of the necessity for
the authorization OF the other-the national
naval reserve.
In regard 10 the laws relating To- the
personnel OF the navy he says:
Referring 10 the act 20 reOrganiZe and
increase the efficiency and personnel OF the
navy and marine corps OF the United
States. approved March 3. 1899. / call your
attention 10 Sections 5 and .. and recon-
mend that the provision that officers re-
tired under these sections shall be given
the rank and three-fOu the sea nav