New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-05


The chief object Of our navy is to prevent war
1t is only fair to say that ihe work being done
by the General Board. with admiral Dewey at its
head is directly in the line of preparation for war
and IS of the greatest value"
VENERABLE OFFICERS.
Secretary Merton concurs IN the opinion that the
navy ought to have two vice-admirals. and that
naval officers attain command rank too late in
life. He frdorseS the recommendation that all
captains upon reaching the age of sixty years be
retired; that this age limit be decreased year
for each two years from the passage of the act
until the limit becomes ffty-seven; that this
limit be reduced to ffty-fve after the next two
years: that al! commanders upon reaching the
OF hfty-hve be retired; that this age limit be
duced as in the of captains until 1t reaches
fifty; that no candidate be admitted the Naval
Academy whose age exceeds seventeen on october
! of the year his class also. contribu-
tory measure of relief. officers whose service
is restricted by law to shore duty only be made
extra numbers in the grades of commander and
captain"
NAVY YARD SHIPS.
Secretary Morton believes that the repairing and
overhauling of naval vessels must At all times
main the important work OF the navy yards, and
that there should be no change in the policy of
building public ships. a rule. by contract at pri-
vate establishments. He notes the opinion OF the
chief constructor that ships built by the govern
ment at navy yards will cost more than If built at
private yards by contract. but adds:
better than contract ships. other considerations
must be taken into account also in deciding the
matter or government construction OF vessels OF the
! larger class. Doubtless the fact that there is at
force OF men trained in sunb work P Pii' haWe
tendency TO keep down prices. and the equipment
have its advantage in time OF naConai emergency.
GOVERNMENT FACTORIES.
Secretary Morton frankly differs from some OF his
predecessors and many naval experts as 10 the ex-
tent of government owned manufacturing estab-
Ishments.
MISCELLANEOUS AFFAIRS.
In the course of his report Secretary Morton
urges medals of honor for the navy. such are
now awarded in the army for gallantry: finds that
the consolidation OF the engineer corps With the
line is working We'll recommends promotion to
chief rank for warrant machnists: cause
for great satisfaction in the increased percentage
of American citizens recently recruited for the
navy; shows that enlisted now have nearly
100000 in savings their credit and tells of
excellent results that have followed efforts OF
the Young Mems Christian Association the navy
yards He expresses qualification at the increased
efficiency in craftsmanship especially with the
heavier guns shown in the years target prac-
tice Such practice, he observes is expensive. bat
no money is spent with better results object OF
the navy in time OF being destruction of
the enemy's fleet and effective gunnery being
therefore Of paramount Importance The Secre-
tary's view regarding the of oil a fuel
board naval vessels is that 1t is a question that
cannot by any means be regarded settled ad-
versely. He is convinced that while. in view
in the national defence, wireless telegraphy
should remain under public control, this power
| should be exercised as interfere
than is necessary with private interests
NEEDS OF GUAM
The Secretary devotes considerable attention to
| the island of Guam which has singuiarly
| neglected by Congress He shows how the island
| was placed under the control Of the Navy Depart
| ~ he rde he NJ
| 1898. and how. in order raise funds 10 meet the
necessary insular expenses. two years later under
executive order. tariff of duties and
| levied and the proceeds expended for administra-
| tive purposes in the island The revenues thus de-
| rived have however been meagre and uncertain,
! until conditions have arisen that demand serious
consideration. Officers of the navy who have been
! on duty in Guam report that inhabitants are
| law abiding, orderly and worthy, and urge that
J the national government should have done more
for this isolated but strategcay valuable possess
sion The chief complaints enumerated by the
Secretary follows:
First-'That formerly the Spanish government de-
irayed SO per cent OF the expenses of admnistra-
ton, while since the change in sovereignty the
Second-That, much more money has to be raised
by local taxation now than during the Spanish
Third-That The fooG. products of the island are
dnf Pad heqedP Po food must be and
E9uEthat While The the Spanish sub
Manila. fixed a reasonable schedule Of freight
4
for copra coffee and cocoa present the only
( means of shipment Is by occasional Japanese
schooners. which have monopoly and impose high
Fifth-That the only steamers touching at Guam
merchandise and practically passengers
SiXth-That satisfactory opportunity 10 given
the population to learn the English langlIaRe as
| being 1900 children OF school age and bnt one i'm,
; perfectly equipped school building ~
Seventh-Thnt there is legislative BODY in the
island. "
Eighth-That the island is without a satisfactory
judicial system, the right OF appeal existing
under Spanish administration in important cases
civil and criminal. first 10 courts in Manila and ulti-
mately TO higher authority Madrid Is now cut
off. ana there is appeal to any judicial tribunal
in the United States
1T is believed that Congress should provide a
form OF government for the Isle Guam without
delay" Secretary Morton continues land give to
its people that Of security in property and
business affairs which only from perma-
nent laws and a form of government harmony
with that OF the country to which the island be-
longs The chief products of Guam. and those upon
which the future prosperity Of its people must de-
pend. agricultural. but the resources Of the
island really considerable remain undeveoped. AS
the OF conference with the Secretary Of Agr
culture special agent Of that department will be
dispatched Guam with view to the intelligent
trea Of the varied agricultural products of
island and the instruction OF its people in modern
methods of planting and cultivation