The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-04

should Dt kepi much possible blue water. for
II Is there only they learn their duties they
should be learned. The big vessels should be mar.
ocuvred in sanadrons containing not merely battle
ships but tho necessary proportion of cruisers and
scouts The torpedo boats should be handled by 'lo
younger officers in such manner as will best fit tn"
latter to take responsibility and meet the emergencies
or actua! warfare.
Every detail ashore which be performed by
civilian should be performed. the officer being Rent
for his special duty IN the service. Above all,
su,inerv practice should be unceasing II is Important
TO have our navy Of adequate size but ii Is even more
important that ship for shin 1t should equal in eff
cheney any navy in the world This IL possible only
with highly drilled crews and officers anI this III turn
impcrnivcy demands continuous and progressive in
sruction in tnrsct practice ship handling. squadron
tactics. and general discipline. our ships must be as
scmbled in s,iuadrons actively cruising away from
hbors and long at anchor. Tile resulting wear
upon engines and huls must be cnihred b,ttl"ahp
ont in long training of officers and mon iH we'll
paid for by the results. while on the other hAnd no
matter in how excellent condition. 1t is useless If The
crew be not expert,
We have seventeen batlashiDs appropriated
for, OF which nine completed and have been COM
usslonod for actual service. The remaining eight viii
ready to four Years. but il will take
least that recruit and train the to fight
them. 1t is of vast concern that We -huNc trained
ready for the vessels by the time they
mssioncd. Good ships and good guns simply good
weapons, and the best weapons are useless save in
the hands OF mon who know how 10 fight with them.
The must be trained and drilled Under thor
ouGh and we'll planned system OF progressive nsruc
tion, while tho recruiting must be carried OH with
still greater visor. Every effort must be made to eN-
sit the main function Of the oflicerthe command Of
The leading graduates of tho naval academy
should be assigned the rombatant branches, the
line and marines.
Many of the essentials of success already
oenized by the general board which the central Of
flee of a growing staff. is moving steadily toward
proper war efficiency and proper efficiency OF the
whole navy under the secretary. This genera! board,
by fostering the creation of general staff is provid
ing for the official and then the general recognition
of altered conditions nation and OF the true
meaning of great fleet. which meaning is Hst,
the best and second the best ships.
The naval militia forces state organizations.
and trained for coast service. and in event OF
they will constitute the inner line of defense. They
should receive hearty encouragement from the general
government.
But in addition should at once provide for
national naval reserve, organized and trained under
The direction Of the navy department. and subject 20
tho call OF the chief executive whenever bcconles
imminent. It should be a real auxiliary to the naval
sea-song peace establishment, and offer material
be drawn at for manning; ships i'll time
OF 1t should be composed Of graduates Of the
and of coastne steamers, longshorc schoon-
fishing vessels. and yachts together with
the population about such ccntcrs ltesav,ns
stations and light houses.
The American people must either build ana main
tain adequate navy else make up their minds
definitely to accept secondary position in intcla
tional affairs merely in political, but in
cial matters 1t has been we'll salt! that there is
Of counting national disaster then to he
'oyEcn, aggressive. and uua,lnod.