The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-03
Navy NEEDS
MORE men
AND SHIPS
Admiral Taylor, Chief Of Bu-
rsau Of Navigation, Makes
Important Recommendations.

washington, dec. o.-Ine aIlnudl report
OF Admiral H. c. Taylor. chief OF the bu-
reau OF navigation. made public yesterday
recommends the creation of general
staff in the navy. the appointment Of two
vice admirals, one for the Asiatic station
and ono for the North Atlantic station.
material increase in the number of offi-
GERS and the addition Of number of
chips to the navy.
Referring to the Caribbean squadron.
the report says that the object OF It's cre-
alton is to provide at all times force in
these waters which can proceed quickly.
whenever needed TO such points as may
demand protection for American interests.
An increase in the number OF cruisers
forming the squadron to eight is urged.
five OF an improved Olympia type and
three specially constructed light draught
vessels for river work
The coast squadron, while planned for
the naval defence OF the country, should
occasion require. will be used as a reserve
force TO strengthen our principal fleet in
the West Indies.
Admiral Taylor calls attention TO the ir-
regular character OF the training squad
ron, and urges in the interests OF true
economy the building of training vessels
which will be useful In war. The con-
structon OF eight such vessels Is recon-
mended, to be of the size OF the San
Francisco, with sea speed of 16 knots
and with large endurance. but with such
reductions In armament as TO be capable
or berthing large number OF men.
MANY NEW VESSELS.
For the European station six new cruis-
ers are recommended. On the Asiatic
station Admiral Taylor says the situation
demands battleship squadron. a cruiser
SQUADRON and squadron of small vessels.
Admiral Taylor concurs in the recon-
mendation of Admiral Evans that the
principal naval station In Philippines be
established at Olongapo subig bay The
report says the Asiatic station needs six
cruisers OF an improved Olympia type and
four cruisers of the scout cruiser type
or which latter two can now be provided
IL also Is urged that two small gunboats
or large launches be provided Immediately
for service In Chinese rivers for the pro-
lection or American interests, where the
present gunboats cannot operate owing
to their size.
Admiral Taylor calls attention 10 the
time spent by vessels OF the North At
lantic fleet at navy yards for repairs and
recommends that vessels OF this feet visit
the navy yards for repairs only once a
year.
As affecting the personnel of the navy.
Admiral Taylor refers to the need OF more
officers as engineers. Attention is also
called to a defect which, Admiral Taylor
says. Is common TO most military SER
vices. whether at sea or on land, namely,
the advanced age at which officers reach
the more important commands. He urges
the retirement Of officers when they have
reached certain age In certain grade
He suggests that an officer OF 80 years
who has not attained the rank OF captain
retire and that a captain who at IS has
not reached the grade OF rear admiral
retire. After urging an addition 10 the
service OF 20 lieutenant commanders and
80 lteutenants Admiral Taylor says that
at present lieutenants are doing the duty
which should be done by lieutenant com
manders.
REVIEWED DEsERTIoNs.
+. Regarding the creation of a general
stan. Admiral Taylor says that n general
staff would not encroach upon the proper
responsibilities OF authority OF any OF
the bureaus OF the department nor inter
fere with their internal operations but.
by applying a directing force heretofore
lacking. would serve az a better instru-
administering the fleet as a whole"
Admiral Taylor reviews the subject OF
desertion at length. The percentage OF
desertions TO enlisted strength for the
period covered by the report was 1875,
against lo.5 in 1909 and iA3 in 1901
Admiral Taylor says The bureau es-
Inmates that more than l per cent. OF
the force would desert on account OF the
food, 1 per cent. because OF the close
cent. because OF restricted liberty TO 20
ashore. From other causes incident to
the men themselves, their democratic
and social life and their innate love OF
change. inducing them to desert. al
though not dissatisfied with the service,
4 per cent. may be allowed. This total
IL per cent OF the force. and when de-
sertions 30 above that percentage we
should examine closely the causes which
produce the increase.
I'm estimating for the future IL Is be-
lieved that this evil OF desertion will. in
the coming years. show signs Of n steady
though slow diminution. due TO the many
which have been introduced
and 10 the rewards offered TO the men
who stay In the service. II Is shown by
the report that on June 10. 1909. there
were A.2i5 enlisted men IN the navy. or
these t7so petty officers and 1882 men
were native born. There were 1897 nat
uraIised petty officers assregating 2s55
The percentage OF native-born men n per
cent. and four per cent more petty offi-
GERS were naturalised, 8 per cent more
had declared intentions"
George Anato. IL years old, was before |
Judge Sweetland today on the charge OF /
defacing a mule. the property |
of the Atlantic Mills company. The boy /
was alleged 90 have dropped a nall into |
a piece OF machinery while II was IN
operation, causing damage 10 the extent