The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-24
SUBMARINE BOATS
ARE NOW POPULAR.
The Matter Of Adding Them to
the Navy Is Agitated.
HAS APPROVAL OF DEWEY.
He Thinks These Little Engines of Des-
truc,ioo Are of Great Value.
Government May Build
Iwe"tY.
Especial Dispatch to The Times.)

ESPECIAL Dispatch to The Tlmes.)
WASHINGTON. D. c., December %
The probabilities are that there will be
great deal OF agitation Of the question
of the usefulness Of submarine torpedo
loaf as a means OF coast defenes as soon
as Congress reconrenes. Those who have
been watching the development of condi-
t!ons in Venezuela ere becoming more and
more impressed with the effectiveness of
these peculiar little marine engines when
II comes to keeping big ships out OF
harbor. and there are many In the Senate
a!lc tie House who favor placing orders
at once foT-the construction OF dozen
or more submarine boats to counterfeit
the advances Germany is making IN tho
development Of her navy.
Senator Hale, of Maine, member OF
the Committee on Naval Affairs and one
of the most conservative men in Congress-.
had something to say on this subject IN
the Senate a few days ago. He said ne
saw little cause for the hysteria that was
developing in some quarters in regard to
tie attitude of Germany toward South
America. and the craze for the immediate
necessity for the United States to rush
to the construction of large number of
hatt;eships and cruisers. He stated that
ii fair number of submarine torpedo
boats were obtained by the government
to guard the coast. we need not fear Ger
1,,any or any other single power of Europe.
Stronger still than Senator Hale's re-
marks are the statements Of Admiral
Dewey and the report of the army board
appointed by the Secretary Of War to
report on the Holland boats.
VIEWS OF DEWEY.
Admiral Dewey. when he appeared be-
fore the Committee on Naval Affairs last
sn:ing, said the moral effect of the sub
had been two OF them in Manila Bay in
May. 1898. he would hardly have been
able to enter it. He said the effect on
the men would have been such as 70 al
r.ost cause a panic. They would have
gene. Of course. but they would have
been "al nerves Watchful OF every
sreck or ripple on the surface of the
water, they would have been in such
state of excitement and apprehension that
trev would have been Of little use.
In November the War Department sent
three artillery officers to the New Eng
lane coast to examine the Holland type
OF torpedo boat and report upon II as
means of coast defense.
I, is said that if Venezuela owned three
good torpedo boats she could keep the
ships of England. Germany and Italy
from entering her harbors as easily as
if she had as many battieships on hand
as thsy.
The fight. when it comes up in Con.
gless. will be an interesting one, and
particularly to Richmond people. since.
If orders are placed for number OF
these boats the shipyacds at Richmond
viii! get their share. The position of
Richmond is especially favorable for
s;,cl. work in time Of war. on account OF
its distance from the coast
. n
Representative Roberts. OF Massachu-
sets. has introduced "a bill for the con-
struct:on Of twenty Holland boats. and It
Is probable that bill OF the same sort
will be introduced in the Senate also.
The majority Of the Senate Committee
on Naval Affairs is heartily in favor OF
the proposition, and the House Commit
tee will probably be the same. Admiral
Dewey has expressed his approval Of 1t
anu also the army board.
The Naval Board of Construction Is
against it, and 1t is said that the chief
reason for this is the hostility of naval
otf:csrs. which is very greot. The alleged
cause of this is that every naval officer
warts a good. comfortable state-oonl.
wiich"~1e cannot have on the submarine
boa. they being strictly war ma chimes,
built solely for utility. A midshipman
can run one. and there is no pomp ana
glory alta ched to the command of it.
Any one who has been on b. %
OF cruiser Of any class will readily un-
de-stand how an officer would rather be
uuarte~ed on one of these floating pal
Gees. with Its beautifully fittsd up state
rooms and mess-rooals. than on sixty
three: foot submarine boat. There is al
ways an opportunity to entertain friends
arC to have good time generally on the
big ships. which is utterly impossible on
a submarine boat.
Another feature which is brought ont
by those Senators and Congressman who
favor the increase of the numbsr of tor
redo boats is the quckness and cheap
rtss with which they can DE constructed.
If we should have war. or If war should
menace US. 1t is said that fifty submarine
ht.ats could be delivered to the United
States within q year. at cost OF
Sl"5,o0J ach.
PENSIONS GRANTED.
The following pensions We're Issued to-
dav:
Virginia Observation-Disclosures e. Wood.
Hampton Sc; Charles P. Brame. Chase
CITY. So (war with spain).
Increase reissue. etc.-Georse SteETer.
dead. Freeshade. IS.
North Carolira-Increase. reissue, etc
Geo-ga Henson. Brasstown. s12.
Wi7ows. minors and dependent rela-
t,ves-vinson n. Hendrix. Readyora nch.
sig: Mary f. Weatherby, Magnetic
City. IS.