The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-02

Washington, April 2S.-The naval pro-
gramme for 1903. as presented in the
naval appropriation bill and accompa-
nying report. filed today by Chairman
FOss. of the house naval committee. is
one Of unusual interest The report
ices not take as optimistic a view Of
Our nayal prowess as is generally held,
and Mr.. FOss points out that compare
lively few of our ships have any real
lighting value. He explains, with A
statement of the naval arma-
ment and programmes of other coun-
tries, particularly GERMANY.
It is shown by the report that the
total number of vessels of our navy.
built and building. is 13S and the total
cost will be $685.. OS2. 209. The report
adds:
while We have built and are build
Ing. all told. 1873 ships. yet comparative
ly few Of them have any real fighting
value. Our naval prowess lies almost
entirely in eighteen battleships, eight ar
mored cruisers and tw~enty-one protect
ed cruisers. The rest of our ships
would cut but little figure in actual
war. Ships of the battle line practical
ly alone determine the naval strength
Of a nation"
Referring to the foreign naval pro-
gramme the report says:
"Of all the countries Germany has
been building during the last few years
faster than any of the others. Her
ship-building programme started in 1898
and will be completed in 1908; possibly
In 1907 instead of 1916 as first planned.
This programme will give her in all
thirty-eight battleships, fourteen large
sruisers. thirty-eight smaller cruisers,
and ninety-six torpedo boats. After the
completion of this programme the plan
~contemDlates new constructions to re-
place ships which. though still service
able. may have reached the prescribed
limit"
Concerning new ships for our navy,
the reports says:
9Th committee recommended 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 ord
lance for vessels of their class upon a
trial displacement of about 5000 tons,
and to ave the highest practicable
speed and great radius of action, and
to cost, exclusive of armor and m
ment, not exceeding S4.212. 900 each, two
first class armored cruisers of about A.
800 tons trial displacement, to cost, ex-
elusive of armor and armament, not
exceeding 1859. 900 each. and two gun
boats of about 1000 tons trial disDlace-
ment.
In view of the fact that there Is
some public sentiment favorable to
building ships in our government navy
yards. it has been deemed advisable by
the committee to insert a provision in
the appropriation bill of this year, leaV-
ing it in the discretion of the secretary
>E kHn -nuy To hTi16 nnU or III chinS in
government yards, but making it man.
datory on him to construct at least one
battleshiD or one armored cruiser In
sue avy yard as he may designate
as an experiment; and it is further
provided that he shall keep an accurate
account of all expenditures for labor
and material in the inspection and con-
struction Of such ship n report to
at each session, and upon the
completion of said ship he shall make
a detailed report showing the relative
cost of one built by the government md
one by contract. It is believed by your
committee that nothing short OF an eE-
pertinent OF this kind will show whether
private contractors have been reason
able in their bids. Furthermore to be
used as a basis for future guidance in
the continued construction OF our navy
1.-The battleships and cruisers provic-
ed for in this bill will be larger than
any heretofore authorized by congress,
and the plans recommended by the
board of construction ave already ex-
cited the favorable comment of the ma
val authorities abroad. The COMMITTEES
is OF the opinion that in recommending
the above naval programme it Is max
ing a substantial and healthy increase
Of our navy and one which will meet
everywhere with popular favor"
The detailed statement shows that
the appropriation bill carries q 1852 Sc
which is slightly below the a%ppropria-
ton made last year. The bill provides
for navy yards and docks: Norfolk
SS44. 900. Key West 500. 900, Pensacola
enon am Gharlortan