The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-05
URGES BIG NAVY
AS WAY TO PEACE
Secretary Morton Pleads for the
Means to Gain Size, Style
and Sand"
New York Sun Special Service.

Washington, Dec. 5.-"We want such
a navy in size, style and sand that
no other navy will ever desire an en-
gagement with u.s., declared Secretary
nation of the fact that the naval esti-
mates for the next fiscal year are the
largest that ever have been sent to
congress-, altho Mr.. Morton cut $17,000,-
900 from the totals that were submit
ted by the bureau chiefs. The report
adds.
Last year the navy cost a little over
one dollar per capita. 1t cost little COM
pared to what war would COST and it Is
the best insurance we have against war.
1t Is our greatest argument in favor Of
peace. We are bound to occupy a prom
inent position among the great nations
of the earth, and while doubtless we shall
always be In the lead in every interna-
tional movement to promote peace, 1t Is
much better for us to be at all times so
we'll prepared for war that war will never
| come. The past year was an important
one in the history of our naval construc
! ton. Never before were so many war
ships launched by this or any other nation
| in one year.
Increase In Personnel.
Mr.. Morton urges an increase in the
personnel of the navy, properly to off
Ger and man the big new ships, and
earnestly supports the recommendation
bureau of navigation, that some plan
be devised by which younger men will
| be placed in command of naval vessels.
Future wars, he says, must be waged
by young officers. In the American
navy officers attain command rank too
late in life, and this condition promises
to become worse instead of better on
account Of the larger influx of officers
into the lower grades without a CORE
spending increase in the upper ranks.
"Better results will be obtained by
men with records to make than by. old
men with regulations to maintain, -
says Mr.. Morton. The average age Of
In the British and German navies the
average of captains is 48 years, and
both countries are planning to still fur
Their reduce the command rank. The
average age of the captains command
ing the five most powerful Japanese
ships is less than 46 years.
Mr.. Morton suggests that the age of
compulsory retirement be reduced for a
few years to elevate younger men, and
| recommends that two vice admirals be
provided for.
Extolls the President.
Mr.. Morton devotes three pages of
his report to the president for his fore
sight in naval matters. He quotes from
a letter written by Mr.. Roosevelt in
1898, while he was assistant secretary
of the navy in which is minimized the
value of torpedoboats and unit. This
view, Mr.. Morton says, has been proved
correct by the war in the east, and the
general board and the board Of con,
struction have reached the same con.
clusion. He also says the naval experts
of today agree with statement to the
navy department by Mr.. Roosevelt on
Feb. %, 1902, in which he said the ad'
miral in command of fleet should be
on one Of the biggest battleships in
stead Of on an armored cruiser, as was
the case at Santiago.
Of the total enlisted force Of 29,321
men, 80 per cent are native born and
II per cent are naturalized citizens. =.