New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-20
THE GUNS OF OUR NAVY.
Craze Doubts about Them Raised
bg Recent Order.

TO say that the navy Is in a state Of mind ap-
preaching CONSERVATION fairly describes the result
o.; Admiral O'NeiIs recent order. the effect OF
which IS 10 reduce the striking power Of our navy
guns by amounts ranging between and p per
cent" says Park Benjamin IN The Independent. 90
The greatest reduction % 10 p per IN the
capacities OF the older guns. built prior TO 1899.
which now constitute the majority Of all. The stu
alton IS extraordinary and appeals 20 Congress for
prompt consideration and relief
The trouble has been suddenly rrecipitated by
the failure II the ToWa's guns. About year ago
one Of y Inches caiars blew OF its own Inuzzie,
killing three men. a Few weeks since Of tho
inch guns destroyed themselves. provideutiaIly
without loss 81 nfe in the same way. There was
nothing abnormal IN the conditions Of firing The
first accident was officially explained 10y the chief
OF the bureau 81 ordnance mystery The
second one has directly occasionod the present
order which Is nothing else than official aduals-
sion that f1r the last four years have
been imperilliug the lives of seamen. and what
IS worse. rIsAnE public safety. IT guns too
weak 70 stand the strains imposed uuon them.
The Iova's guns. IN common with all those de-
signed prior 20 The adoption 81 smoSoless powder
were constructed TO meet uross1res O. different
and less powerful kind 81 explosive. Nevertheless
they have been used with the stronger kind and Tor
that reason a0pa reutly have failed IS" have been
Obliged 70 the stronger explosive in order TO
give the proje-tles adequate striking power. thus
10 meet The great improvements in amor and, lat
/ terry, as has been stated. We have designed guns
! supposedly adapted thereto But. despite the
change in explosives used iu them. the old guns
themselves have not been changed; that, even
now. Instead Of rejecting thorn, retain them.
/ nut cut down the powder charGes-and that means
! olreet reduction Of their efficiency Furthermore.
50 great Is the official apprehension OF further dis
/ As'er mat even IN the newest and best guns. and
/ "IP@eh'iy without cause. for none OF them have
'1SN substantial reduction in their power also has
been made
me eject Is 70 diminish the power 81 the whole
I 10y NorsEips not cargo carriers. but gun
/ I-''lorils. They are offensive weapons. effective
/ - me extent that their guns are effective Re
'-oa ln Eun power. extending practically 20 all
NJ iafge guns u the navy means adding 10 the
'-Aless of the armor OF every possible enemy;
s--s a reduction In naval strength which IS seri-
/ - a"u 10 some extent comparable 90 the loss
I sian feet
. = W mad Been driving our guns Up 10 n power
Sfo"1 lAat 81 the guns 4 other nations. and had
/ -" i''Iosfaled % tho general level. the situa-
o' would sun DE unfortunate owing 10 the admit
/ eL eIecA 10 progress. But. on the contrary u Is
4 1' A'lo"h mat foreign nations have guns which
. ar Exceed ours IN power and continue safely to
1se 'aern- II is also a somewhat significant fact
~ upon TWO OF the ships Of our navy. which We
p-'0.-7s1 al The time Of the Spanish war. there
are n.s- power fo-eisn guns ard -aat Admiral
1'~-f does not direct any reduction IN their
powder charges.
Aho, tuFt1ermore. according 20 figures recently
p20nSoeo = The Army and Navy Journal based