New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-03
ADMIRAL TAYLOR ON NEEDS OF NAVY.
He Recommends General STAFF, Two Vice
Admirals and More Ships and Officers.


Washington. Dec. 2.-The annual report OF Rear
Admiral Henry c. Taylor chief of the Bureau Of
Navigation, made public to-day. recommends the
creation of a general staff in the navy, the ap-
pointment of two vice-admiraIs for the Asiatic
station ana one for the North Atlantic station. a
material increase in the number of officers and the
addition OF d number of ships 10 che navy.
Referring TO the Caribbean squadron the report
says that the object of its creation Is to provide at
all times d force in those waters which proceed
quickly. whenever needed. TO such points as may
demand protection for American interests. An In
crease in the number of cruisers forming the
squadron TO eight is urged, five Of an improved
Olympia type and three specially constructed light
drausht vessels for the river work The coast
squadron. while planned for the naval defence OF
the country, should occasion require, will be used
as reserve force TO strengthen the principal feet
in the West Indies.
Admiral Taylor calls attention the irregular
character Of the training squadron, and urges, in
the interests Of true economy, the building
Of training vessels which will be useful in
war. He recommends the construction of eight
vessels of the size of the san Francisco with
q sea speed Of sixteen knots and large coal endur-
ance, but with such reductions in armament as TO
be capable of berthing a large number Of men.
For the European station six cruisers rec
commended. On the Asiatic station, Admiral Tay
lOr saws the situation demands there battleship
squadron, a cruiser squadron and squadron Of
small vessels. He concurs in the recommendation
Of Admiral Evans that the principal naval station
in the Philippines be established Olongapo. Subig
Bay. The report says the Asatic 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 urged that two
small gunboats or large launches be provided i'm
mediately for service in Chinese rivers for the
lection Of American interests where the present
gunboats cannot operate owing to their size. Ad-
miral Taylor expresses the opinion that a large
number of cruisers will be necessary in the next
few years, and adds:
The bureau refrains from making more definite
and specific recommendations In reference TO the
number ana cass OF fruiTel5 as %elt as 70 tAe
other vessels TO compose our feet for the future,
fu study OF the general board WhiGh viii consider
the strategic necessities OF the country as Wen as
the tactical qualities desirable for our ships.
Admiral Taylor calls attention TO the time spent
by vessels OF the North Atlantic feet navy yards
fer repairs. saying that the battleship Alabama
spent I33 days at the New-York Navy Yard. the
Kearsarge 1O4 days and the Indiana 102 which he
declares is too long. He recommends that vessels
Of this feet visit the yards for repairs only
once year.
Admiral Taylor treats the subject of desertions at
great leng,n, showing that for the year 1903 the
percentage was 125. Among the various reasons
assigned by officers as well the men themselves
he says are discomfort with the food. discomforts
as 10 sleeping accommodations. confinement on
board ship without frequent liberty to visit shore
harshness in language and bearing the part of
recruit believed that life at sea was pleasant
and easy thing and the restless spirit existing
among some Of the men, He estimates that the
desertions on account Of food, close quarters,
strcred liberty go ashore and causes incident to
the men themselves. including love OF change, at
not above per cent Of the force, and says when
desertons 20 above that percentage the depart
rnent should examine closely the causes which pro-
duce the increase He believes that the evil OF de-
sertiou in the coming years will show signs OF
steady though slow dininutton. due 20 the many
alterations which have been introduced and 10 the
rewards now offered TO the who remain in the
service.
As affecting the personnel Of the navy, Admiral
TAYLOR refers to the need Of more officers as en-
g51ears Attention IS also called TO a defect which
Admiral TAYLOR says is common 10 most military
services whether at sea or on land-namely, the
advanced age at which officers reach the more i'm
nortant commands. The duty Of commanding a
batleshp and fleets OF battleships, ne says Is one
which requires together with large experience and
Lt,t--, +fa energy and nervous endurance which
are found as rule among men much younger than
those who viii command battleships and fleets for
some years to come. AS remedy TOT the oeIecl
he urges the retirement Of officers when they have
reached & certain age in certain grade he sug-
&c mar an officer nifty years old who has not
a+raned the rank Of captain retire and that cap
tain who at hfty-fye has not reached the grade OF
rear admiral retire. After urging an addition 10
tbA service of thirty Lieutenant commanders and
eftv ueutenauts. Admiral Taylor says that at
rressnt lieutenants doing the duV WnIch
ebnuId be done by lieutenant COMMANDERS rI'y
.6attional warrant machinists are urged IN oruer
50 give this class Of officers their share OF shore
duty. .s at,
Regarding the creation Oh d SENECA $50
Taylor says
The present organization Of the department. Is