Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-12-05
MOODY REPORTS ONNAVY
The Secretary Reviews the Years
Work of This Important
Service.
ssR1IAl COOPERATION WITH the ARMY
Every Energy being Bent for the
Training of Men and Omcers-Rec-
emAe1dation Made That at Least
GOs Rev Dmtleships Be Added to
AAs NaYy.

sstasy Of the navy, is made public. 1t
Gays: A statement of the operations
Of the Aset reveals an activity char
aetesAstsc OF all branches of the naval
eerv1ce of to-day. The cooperation of
he 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 naya!
force is no longer necessary. Five gun.
boats have been put out of commission
Or iaid 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
Areaty 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
70 the inhabitants of the islands of.
Martinique and St. Vincent afflicted by
Ahe volcanic eruption occurring in May
last. Ocean surveys have been con-
1inued to the extent which the number
sCf available officers, men and ships
would permit.
An Err of Training.
The task which is employing the
highest energies of the navy, and re-.
sewing the greatest attention from the
heads of bureaus, the commanders in
chief OF stations, the commanding and
subordinate officers of squadrons, di-
visions, and single vessels everywhere,
Is the work of training. To the devel-
epment of the greatest efficiencyin all
branches of the service the attention,
zeal and thought of those in charge is
mainly directed. This is an era of
training. For this purpose schools of
instruction have been established
wherever practicable.
II is needless to say that the pur-
Dsse Of all this instruction and train
ing Is to make the navy fit for its ulti-
mate design as an instrument of war.
are. The navy serves many useful
Purposes in times of peace which
&hsald by no means be minimized.
4sverthsless it would not exist in any
ming Ike its present form if the posi-
btk1C Of war were not in contempla-
Lon. Il Is believed to be the duty of
he department to employ the means
Mhish congress has placed at its dis
HeAl 10 develop every latent power of
material and personnel and see that all
branches OF the service operate in in
telligent harmony. This constitutes
eat preparedness for war which is
me best guaranty of the continuance
d peace. 1t has been remembered at
syery step that the people desire peace
md not war, and that the navy should
be potent that peace may be preserved
Eh1 preparedness for war should be
Aomplste; partial or halfway prepa.
xatiaR will not insure us against at
tack, may even invite it.
Future of the Navy.
Among the most important lessons
learned in the war with Spain was
nat modern navy cannot be inn
3rovised during war or upon the
shreshold of war. Much money
was then expended for the purchase
OF ships. Many of them served USE
tul auxiliary purposes, but it may
well be doubted whether they added
materially to the fighting efficiency
OF sur feet. The time best suited to
the development and perfection of
eur navy is the time when there is
neither war nor threat of war. Han
PLY the present is such q time, and it
permits dispassionate consideration
~ the future. The country approves,
with hardly a dissenting voice, the
policy Of strengthening our power
upon the sea. What would have been
an adequate navy some years ago il
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 sthmus. If, then, the policy of
Strengthening our power upon the
sea to the point where it can respond
10 the national needs be not abar-
6oned, the navy has manifold needs.
There must be additional naval and
scaling 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 Omcers.
The most imperative need of the
navy to-day is Of additional officers.
I do not overstate this need. It in
vites the instant attention of con.
gress. The administration of the de-
partment is embarrassed almost daiIv
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. It is acute TODAY.
and, when the ships already author
ICED are completed, it will be desper-
ste unless there is early action. 81
81, Enlisted Men.
The nnmber Of enlisted men in TIE
naval Service on June 30, 1902, was 21,-
4s3. OF these s,Uss were landsmen for
training and apprentices. Allmennow
ehileted are required to be either citf.
tens " 70 kEse Occurred thrtr turyn-