Newport weekly independent., 1901-11-22

the Navy John D. Long has submitted his annual report to the president. The financial statement shows that ap- proprations for the fiscal year 1901, exclusive of public works, were S3',- 913. .4O6.67. Amounts drawn in fiscal year 1901, S2o, ,77O,2 ,25561. Balance June 30, 1901, $s, ,143, ,151.06. RecOmmen ntiOns. The navy to-day is far greater factor in our relations with the world than it was before the recent 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 to have navy at all it must be commensurate with these great eN- tensions-greater in international even than in territorial importance. This necessarily involves the construc- ton of more naval vessels, their man. ming, exercise and maintenance.
 The general board, of which the ad-~ miral is president, recommends the following increase of the navy:
 Four first-class battle ships.
 Two first-class armored cruisers.
 Four picket vessels of about 6o0 tons trial displacement, with a sea speed of 15 knots, with twin screws, carrying battery of four 6-pounder cOmDlp- ment of 60 officers and men.
 Six sheathed and coppered sea going gunboats of about 1000 tons trial dis placement, with moderate sail power, similar to the Annapolis class.
 Six lght-draft steel gunboats o1 about 600 tons trial displacement. for insular service in the Philippine.
 Six light draft steel gunboats of aobut 200 tons trial displacement, not to exceed six feet draft, for insular insular service in the Philippines.
 Six steel sailing training ships of about 200 tons trial displacement, not
 One collier of 10000 tons cargo ca pacity and a sea speed of 12 knots.
 Three thousand enlisted men, in or der that they may be enlisted and drilled in preparation for the compile tion of the ships.
 Seven hundred and nifty marines. (This number needed for duty on board ship, and does not include the necessary garrison for posts at home and in our insular posscssions)
 An increase of 50 per cent. in the number of naval cadets now allowed by law, in order to provide for the in- crease of officers needed for the ships recommended above. The board of construction recom- mends:
 Three seagoing battle ships of about 16,O0O tons trial displacement.
 Two armored cruisers of about 14,- 800 tons trial displacement. Six gunboats of about 200 tons trial trial displacement.
 Six gunboats of about GOO tons trial displacement. Six gunboats of about 200 tons trial displacement. Two colliers of about 15,000 tons trial displacement.
 
 trial displacement. Six training ships of about 2,00o tons trial displacement. Four picket boats of about $50 tons trial displacement. Four tug-boats. All the vessels thus recommended are desirable in the prospective and harmonious development of our naval force. A 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 appropriation hereafter. Among these are the gunboats of 600 tons displacement, in case the picket boats of similar dimensions are au- thorized; also the repair ship and a portion of each of the other classes of smaller war vessels. The depart ment therefore recommends:
 Three tirst-class battleships. Two first-class armored cruisers. Three gunboats, each of about 1000 tons trial displacement. Three gunboats, each of about 200 tons trial displacement, for insular service.
 Three picket boats, each of about $50 tons trial displacement. Three steel sailing training ships, each of about 2,000 tons trial displace- ment.
 One collier of about 15,000 tons trial displacement.