The Washington times., 1901-11-16
Secretary Long on COndi-
tiOns in the Navy.
THE ANNUAL REPORT MADE PUBLIC.
Demand for a Naval Reserve
Guns on Warships Large
Enough Manufacture of
Smokeless Powder.

4 most exhaustive review OIL conditions III
the Department Special stress is laid on
the need for more officers and men. The
| recommendation is made that the num-
Der of lieutenants be increased from so
to $50, and the number of junior lieu
tenants and ensigns be limited to 800
1t is urged that there should be an
increase in the number of naval construc-
! tors and civil engineers, the latter being
| necessary in view of the extensive dock
and yard construction now under way.
Regarding the enlisted personnel Secre-
| tary Long says:
II cannot too earnestly call attention to
the necessity for 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 in
creased by S,VO men,
II recommend that the Marine Corps
be Increased by 750 men, recommended
by the General Board"
Grade of Vice Admiral.
Secretary Long also favors reviving the
grade of vice admiral, a step which has
been strongly advocated by prominent
officers of the navy.
The report also gives table compar-
ing the enlisted strength OF the United
States Navy and that of other great
Powers. This country is surpassed by
England, France. Germany, Russia, Japan
and Italy in this respect.
Secretary Long also calls attention to
the Naval Academy, and along this line
he observes:
Favorable consideration is invited to
the report of the Board Of Visitors to this
me & a ar
T. That the title nj midshipman,
which is full of historic associations. be
restored and substituted for naval ca
deL'
- That the probationary course for ma
val cadets be reduced
Also to the report of the Chief of the
Bureau of Steam Engineering, and to its
recommendations:
Il That an engineering experimental
laboratory be established at The Naval
Academy for the use of the cadets in their
studies.
- That st-graduate course Of in
struction in engineering De authorized.
Also to the reports of the Chief Of
the Bureau Of Navigation and the Super
intcndent of the Naval Academy, and to
their recommendations:
- That 10 cadet shall hereafter be ap-
pointed whose age is under fifteen or over
eighteen on October of the year Of en-
trance to the Naval Academy
. That the salaries of the civil~n
professors at the Naval Academy be re-
vised.
g. That a training vessel be built for
the Naval Academy sufficiently large
enough TO accommodate the entire corps
OF cadets.
The Naval Reserve.
Regarding the naval reserve, which has
sprung up since the war with Spain, Sec
retary Long says:
y nave again to call attention to the
pressing need Of 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 recommendauons
have been made foSsa.the enrolment and
be under the general direction Of the
Navy Department and subject To the call
of the Chief Executive in times Of ma
U0nal emergency
'-The results Of the Spanish-Amerfcan
war were such as to assure everyone hay
ing knowledge of naval matters that steps
should at once be taken to meet the one
certain ana positive requirement WliCh
will face the nation upon an outbreak OF
war-the immediate necessity at that eXi-
gent time, If il comes. Of large increase
in the men Of the navy from an existing
reserve-an Increase which must in the
main be made from the seofaring class,
who. having acquired the ilabit of the sea,
are at home on the water. There is no
better way Of ensuriug such reserve
than by the measure now urged.
"Our pressing need is for such re
seTVc-a body to go to the front on board
ship at once upon the outbreak Of war, or
Next to this win come The defence of
the coast and FOR such purpose the naval
militia viii bc essential.
Il see reasons for both organizations,
and have heretofore done all possible To
aid the one now eNisting-the naval
militia-and to convince Congress of the
necessity for the authorization OF the
other-the national naval reserve.
Limit i'm Size of Guns.
Secretary Long on the subject of ord
nance. says that in order to gain greater
energy, guns have been increased in
weight and dimensions until it is believed
that they have now reached a point be
yond which it is inexpedient TO 80. Any
further increase in their efficiency must he
looked fcr in the use OF heavier projectiles
and in the development of powders pos
ssssing higher ballastic properties than
those now in use. New types Of five-inch
and sevon-inch guns have been made and
tested with excellent results.
The manufacture of smokeless powder
has progressed satisfactorily both at the
Government works and at those of prl-
vate manufacturers. The Department, in
June last Urdereda board Of naval Off
GERS and chemists to revise the specifca-
tons for the manufacture Of smokeiess
powder. and to draw up rules for its test.
examination, and storage both in maya
zines on shore and on shipbOard. and
specific Instructions on these points have
been issued throughout the service In
addition general examination and chem
ical test were made of all smOkeless pow
der in the uavii service. and the results
are satisfactory.
Making Of Armor Plate.
The capacity of the armor plants is now
about 1850 tons a year Of armor OF the
best quality: and at the instance OF the
Department the manufacturers are max
ing preparations TO increase their output
TO 900 or l2,05O tons a year in order to
complete deliveries in accordance with
present contracts. and also in order to be
ready to provide armor for additional
vessels should they be authorized by Con-
gress They have already turned out
more armOr than was anticipated.
Under authority vested in the Depart
ment by Congress contracts were signed
November ~, 1900, for over 37OJ0 tons
Of armOr required for vessels authorized
in this country with reports OF those made
abroad our armor seems TO be the best
that can at present be produced and Jhe
price at which 1t Is obtained is lower than
that paid abroad. Deliveries amounting
to nearly 1900 tons have already been
made under these contracts.
Increase i'm the Navy.
The report deals with the work of build
ing new war vessels. the question of equip
ment, coal, coaling stations. etc. 1t con-
cludes with the following recommenda-
tion for an increase in the navy:
Three first-class battle ships two first
class armored cruisers; three gunboats.
each Of about l. C40 tons trial dispIace
nf al.