New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-11
TO AID MERCHANT MARINE.
admiral Desoey Outlines Services 1t
Could Render to Navy.
IFron The tribune Bureau.I

| IFrorn Tribune BureauI
| Washington. Dec 10.-The bill of the Merchant
Marine Commission, together with the report
| thereon, is before the Senate Committee on
| Commerce, with every prospect of a favorable re-
port to the Senate and the friends of the measure
believe that the prospects for favorable action
/ by Congress are excellent. In his message the
President says: II ask your earnest consideration
| OF the report with which the Merchant Marine
Commission has followed its long and careful in
curry; and on the fact that the President Is in
| sympathy with the proposed legislation Its pro-
motors largely base their hopes
The bill is similar to that reported a year
ago. but contains some important changes notable
among them being the extension of the time when
the coastwise laws shall apply to the Philippines
until April, 1903; increase Of $25OOeO for the
subventon Of the American Line between New
York and southampton and an increase of S2l7OO0
to the present line between San Francisco and
Australasia
1t is urged that the increased subvention of the
American Line is rendered necessary by the action
of Great Britain in granting a new subsidy Of
$4,000 to the Cunard Line, besides Ioantng that
line the funds with which to construct the two
new turbine steamers which it recently put in
commission, at an extraordinarily low rate of In
terest, % per cent With the increases granted
by the proposed legislation the total subvention
of the American Line would to $l.OO7.OOO
and of the San Observation-Disclosures line to
100000
Estimating the cost to the Treasury of the pro-
posed measure for four years, the commission says
that the first year there will be a gain. be-
cause of the tax tonnage, OF $616,750. The
ond year the balance will be on the othe- side Of
the ledger and the net cost will amount to $685.,
co., The third year the cost will amount to
$S.5S2.000 and the fourth year to 81 600.
Summing up the advantages which are TO accrue
from this outlay, the commission enumerares them
follows:
First-A force Of 10000 naval volunteers-Ameri-
frsin 0iilGers ana men OF the MERCHANT marine
relation to the regular navy held toward the regu-
Iar army by the. present militia and National
seeond-A a new fleet of from 100000 to 100000 tons
transports, ammunition ships, supply ships, col
hers repair and hospital ships, dispatch vessels
exc. described in the accompanying report OF Ad-
mIrai Dewey, as essential to the efficiency Of
Third-A net addition to our cargo (and fshery)
tonnage OF 100000 tons, increasing fourfold the
giving us, exclusive of our distinctive lake and
f f6aSt~lse vessels merchant marine much larger
way way nearly twice that Of Italy. and fully twice
Would enable the Tniped states to e uHer
0W4 nag not ~ per cent as now Of its own i'm
our own country, instead of $50 OOOO0 from $4,000
OW to $SOO0.O0 year in freight and passenger re-
Fourth-F1nalIy. the creation of ten regular new
America, Central America, Africa and Asia sup
PIenented by large and active fleet of tramp"
or cargo vessels, inevitably opening markets
Tor many thousands of additional bales of American
sions, and manufactured goods-a total amount of |
increased trade and increased employment for the
specific figures but certainly fftyfold hundred
fold the entire cost of the national subventions.
Accompanying the report of the commission is the
report made by Admiral Dewey admiral of the |
navy and president of the General Board, in which
he declares that the greatest service which the
marine could afford to the navy in time
OF would consist Of providing fast vessels to
be used scouts and capable of a sustained sea
speed Of twenty knot. but the admiral adds:
cargo capacity Of at least 5000 tons each, and with
sufficient speed and steaming radius to enable them
should be five such Golfers for each squadron of
number of Golfers Of less speed and carrying
capacity would also be needed for the purpose of
keeping the coal supply replenlshed at the various
coal depots and for other purposes. The existence
which the Golfers could be drawn especially the
fast Golfers, would be Of great advantage to the
Ammunition ships of about 1000 tons carrying ca
pacty would be REQUIRED for the purpose Of re-
for accompanying the fleet with reserve ammuni-
ton in case Of Contemplated action. These vessels
should have sufficient speed and steamng radius to
enable them TO accompany squadron OF battle
ships. There should be one such vessel for each
squadron of eight battleships with its attendant
one of each of the following types would be re-
luired for each squadron of eight battlsshPs with
with cargo capacity OF from loco to 200 tons tank
Or distling ship with capacity of 1,OO0WO gallons
fresh water; hospital ship, repair and torpedo depot
Speed would not be an essential in these vessels.
he Ss1 at @ bn W61d 6ba
re at an advanced naval base OF operations conVe-
lfent to the fighting fleet or cruise by themselves
nave sustained speed of at least twelve knots.
N case Of a long voy sc by a large Meet, such as
Admiral RoJestvensky s. vessels OF this type would
accompany the feet.
A number OF transports would also be needed by
he Navy Department for the transportation of
force of marines for the establishment and de-
ence of advanced naval bases. Each transport
alton of marines tabout Ave hundred mem, with
complete outfit of field and camp equpage, and
It will also probably be found necessary TO pro-
ure a number o. small fast vessels for duty as
he United States, and for harbor entrance patrol
a cases where the channels are mined etc. as wei
S a number of tugs and steam lighters.
1t is OF course Impossible to forete the extent or
no needs of the navy in any future they I
eng dependent altogether on the size of the United
tates navy at that time and the nature OF the
bove the number of auxiliary vessels necessary
Or naval purposes would be, roughly, as follows.
asing the number upon a squadron OF eight battle
hips with attendant cruisers torpedo boat az
troyers, etc: Twenty-knot SCOUTS elghl IoI edGI
luadron 15-knot squadron Golfers. I'VE foT each r
tances say. roughly, five for each squadron; 10 |
not supply and refrigerating ships. one for each
Iuadron; 12knOt tank and distilling SHIPS one
lch squadron; 12knot hospital SHIPS one TOT sac
Juadron; l2-knot repair and torpedo depot SAlps'
FOR each squadron; 1S-knot dlspatch oo as qe
let scouts etc. for each squadron; I'VE lot 4
ach naval district Cen naval distrcts); lz-Knot :,
ansports six: tugs and lighters. two for b
lch SQUADRON; tugs. 100 for navy yards and naval
stricts. -. ~ . mo-. ter the
~ Jne UIIts 1Itborized by Congress are completed
- Naztv vollld then possess q Dattleships, in ad-
ats etc and the following auxIliaries now q
tilt or building: Three scout cruisers sqnaIT =
filters l6 slow golfers. supply ships, TANK snip ID
hospta ships, repair and 6istillng snip Trans
1rts q dispatch boats and Yachts ana Is TUGS. :,
; compelled to secure from the merchant ma3Ilne'
hoWLas 1s snnadron golfers 2 slow golfers. Y
,Tnnnifon ships supply and refrgerating SHIPS h
tank and distiliing ships hospital ships repair