Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-03
NAvy'S NEEDS.
Annual Report Of Rear Admiral
Harry C. Taylor
Recommends Appointment Of a Ger
eraI Staff in Uncle Sans Navy.
For Similar Purposes as That in Uncle
Sans Army.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-THE annual re-
port of Rear Admiral II. Z. Taylor, chlei
of the bureau of navigation. made pup
lie TODAY. recommends the creation OF
u general staff in the navy, the appoint
rpent Of two vice adinirals one Tor tne
Asiatic station and one for the North
Atlantic station, Il material Increase
in the number of officers and the adj
dition of n number of ships to the navy.
Referring to the Caribbean squad
ron, the report says that tho object OF
its creation is to provide at ali times -
force in those waters which can pro-
coed quickly. whenever needed to such
points as may demand protection for
American interests An increase III
the number of cruisers forming the
squadron to eight is urged, five of ali
improved Olympia type and three Spe-
cially constructed light draft vessels
for the river work. The coast squad
ron, while planned as naval defence
of the country, should occasion require
will be u:>cd as a reserve force to
strengthen our principal fleet in the
West Indies.
Admiral Taylor calls attention to III"
irregular character of the training
squadron, and urges in the interest of
true economy the building of training
vessels which will be useful in war
The construction of eight such vessels
is recommended, to be OF the size OF
the San Francisco. with sea speed OF
lG knots and with large coal endur-
anco, but with such reduction in arma-
ment as to be capable of berthine Il
large number of men. For the Euro
pean stations six new cruisers are
recommended. ON the Asiatic station
Admiral Taylor says tho situation de-
mands q battleship squadron, cruiser
squadron and a squadron of small YES
sells.
Admiral Taylor concurs in the
recommendations of Admiral Evans,
that the principal naval station in the
Philippines be established at Olong-
ampo, Subig Bay. The report says tho
Asiatic station needs six cruisers of
an improved Olympia type and four
cruisers of the scout cruiser type. OF
which latter two can now be provided.
1t is also urged that two small gun
boats or large launches be provided
Immediately for service in Chinese
rivers for the protection of American
interests where the present gunboats
cannot operate owing to their size.
Admiral Taylor calls attention to the
time spent by vessels of the North At
lantic feet at navy yards for repairs
and recommends that vessels of this
fleet visit the navy yards for repairs
only once Il year.
AS affecting the personnel of the
navy Admiral Taylor refers to the need
of more officers as engineers. Atten-
ton is also called TO Il defect which
Admiral Taylor says is common to
most military services, whether at sea
or on land. namely, the advanced age
ut which officers reach the more inn
portant commands. He urges the re-
tircment of officers when they have
reached Il certain age in certain
grade. He suggests that an officer of
30 years who has not reached the rank
of captain retire and that captain
who at 50 has not reached the grade of
rear admiral retire. After urging an
addition to the sevice of so lieutenant
commander and so lieutenants, Adj
mral Taylor says that at present lieu
tenants are doing the duty which
should be done by lieutenant comman-
dorS.
Regarding the creation of 4 general
staff. Admiral Taylor says that Il gen
eral staff would not encroach upon the
proper responsibilities of authority Of
any of the bureaus of the department
nor interfere with their internal opera
tons. but by applying Il directing
force heretofore lacking would serve
as a better instrument to the secretary
of tho navy for administering the fleet
as Il whole"