The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-28
THE NAVAL PROGRAM FOR
1903 OUTLINED IN NEWPORT.

Washington. April 2S.--The naval pro-
gram for 1908. as presented in the naval
appropriation bill and accompanying re-
port filed today by Chairman Foss. of the
house naval committee, is one OF unusual
Interest.
The report does not take as optimistic
a view of our naval prowess as Is gem
orally held and Mr. Foss points out that
comparatively few of our ships have any
real lighting value. he accompanies this
vith statement OF the enormous naval
armament and programs OF other coun-
tries, particularly Germany.
IL Is shown by the report that the total
number OF vessels OF our navy built and
building. in 13S and the total cost will be
S235.0S2. 200. The report adds
while we have built and are building.
all told, l& ships. yet, comparatively few
OF them have any real fighting value. our
naval prowess lies almost entirely I'm our
is battleshiups, 8 armored cruisers and
Il protected cruisers. The res, OF our
ships would cut but little figures I'm actual
war. Ships OF the battle line. practically
alone determine the naval strength of a
nation"
Referring to the foreign naval program
the report says:
"Of all the countries, Germany has been
building during the last few years faster
IMAM dHN OF the OinefS. Her snip Dlllutng
program started In 1873 and will be COM
Ileted In 1905 possibly 1897 instead OF 1916
as first planned This program will give
her in all IS battleships. "a large cruisers
80 smaller cruisers and 96 torpedo boats.
Concerning new ships for our navy, the
report says:
''The committee recommend that for the
purpose OF further increasing the naval
establishment OF the United States the
president have constructed two first-class
battleships carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels
OF their class upon a trial displacement
of about 1900 tons and 10 have the high
est practicable speed and great radius of
action and 20 cost, exclusive OF armor
and armament. not exceeding Sf2l2.0 600
each; two hrst class armored cruisers OF
about 1850 tons trial displacement. to
cost. exclusive OF armor and armament
not exceeding N,65e. 900 each and two gun
boats OF about 1000 tons trial displace-
ment
I'm view Of the fact that there Is some
public sentiment favorable 20 building
ships In our government navy yards Il
has been deemed advisable By the COM
mittee 10 insert a provision in the appro-
priation bill OF this year leaving IL IN tho
discretion OF the secretary OF the navy
90 build any or all ships In government
yards but making II mandatory on him 90
construct at least one battleship or ono
armored cruiser In such navy yards as
ne may designate. as an experiment.
Other interesting features of the bill
are provisions for board OF naval Of
hcers TO recommend site for a naval
training station at some point on the
Great Lakes. an increase OF the enlisted
force OF the navy by 5000 men: provisions
Tor new navy station as reported by n
naval board; an increase OF the number
OF cadets az the naval academy by COO
The detailed statement shows that the
appropriation bin carries s71e .s36 which
is slightly below the appropriation made
last year.
The naval training station at Rhode
Island receives 5000 For arrnor and
armament the bin provides sg.p0oooo. Inn
pOrtant items under the bureau ~ ord
nance ares Smokeiess powder. 10000: