The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1902-12-06
NEEDS OF THE NAVY.
Most Imperative Is That of More
Officers.
Some Interesting Extracts from the
Annual Report of Secretary
Moody-value of Training
work-Future of Navy.

Washington, Nov. 29.--The annual
report of Hon. William II. Moody, Sec
rotary Of the navy, is made public. 1t
says: A statement of the operations
| of the fleet reveals an activity char
acteristic of all branches of the naval
service of to-day. The cooperation of
the army and navy has everywhere
been cordial. The navy has done its
share in restoring order in the Philip
pines. The conditions throughout the
islands have so far improved that the
constant presence of large naval
force is no longer necessary. Five gun
boats have been put out of commission
or laid up for repairs. The disturbed
conditions in the West Indies and
Caribbean have required the constant
presence of our ships charged with the
duties of maintaining order by moral
influence, protecting the interests OF
our citizens and those of other nations
committed to us, and of preserving the
treaty rights of the government.
These duties have been performed in
harmonious cooperation with the de-
partment of state. The navy rendered
essential aid in the relief furnished
to the inhabitants of the islands of
Martinique and ST. Vincent afflicted by
the volcanic eruption occurring in May
sast. Ocean surveys have been con-
tinued to the extent which the number
Of available officers, men and ships
would permit.
Future of the Navy.
Among the most important lessons
learned in the war with Spain was
that a modern navy cannot be i'm
provised during war or upon the
threshold of war. Much money
was then expended for the purchase
of ships. Many of them served use
full auxiliary purposes, but it may
well be doubted whether they added
materially to the fighting efficiency
of our fleet. The time best suited to
the development and perfection of
our navy is the time when there is
neither war nor threat of war. Hap
PLY the present is such time, and 1t
permits dispassionate consideration
of the future. The country approves,
with hardly dissenting voice, the
policy of strengthening our power
upon the sea. What would have been
an adequate navy some years ago is
totally inadequate for the perform
ance of the duties growing out of our
new possessions in the Pacific and
Atlantic and the determination Of
congress to construct a canal across
the isthmus. If, then, the policy OF
strengthening our power upon the
sea to the point where it can respond
to the national needs be not aban-
doned, the navy has manifold needs.
There must be- additional naval and
coaling stations; more ships, fighting
and auxiliary; and an increase of Off
GERS and men. In all of these re-
spects congress in the past has dealt
with the navy wisely and generously,
and doubt not that in the future it
will as accurately register the will of
the people.
Need of More Officers.
The most imperative need of the
navy to-day is of additional officers.
l do not overstate this need. 1t in
vites the instant attention of con-
gress. The administration of the de-
partment is embarrassed almost daily
by the lack of officers below COM
mand rank. This condition has been
approaching for years, and was clearly
apprehended and stated by my pre-
decessor in office. 1t is acute to-day,
and, when the ships already author
lied are completed, 1t will be desper-
ate unless there is early action.
Enlisted Men.
The number of enlisted men in the
naval service on June 80, 1902, was 21,-
1873. OF these s,032 were landsmen for
training and apprentices. All now
enlisted are required to be either citi-
zens or to have declared their inten-
ton to become such. Eighty-nine per
cent. of the enlisted force are now citi-
zens, and 76 per cent. are native born.
Increase of ships.
After most careful consideration, /
believe it to be my duty to recommend
a continuance without interruption of
the increase of ships. The precise type
of ships authorized must, of course,
like the authorization itself, be re-
ferred to the wisdom of congress, to
whose committees recommendation
in detail may be made. Differences OF
opinion exist among naynl authorities,
but all agree that not less than two
battleships should be among the num-
Der authorized. Whether the others
should be Of the armored-cruiser type
or Of the unarmored cruiser and gun
boat type which have proved so useful,
may well be left for future discussion.
Plenty of Welsh Coal.