Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-05
NAVAL TRAINING.
Its Importance Emphasized-More Sea-
men Needed.

The most formidable battleship is of
course helpless against even light
cruiser if the men aboard it are unable
TO hit anything with their guns, and
thoroughly well handled cruisers may
count seriously in an engagement with
much superior vessels if the men
aboard the latter are ineffective,
whether from lack of training or from
any other cause. Modern warShips are
most formidable mechanisms when
well handled, but they are utterly use
less when not well handled. and they
cannot be handled at all without long
and careful training. This training
can under no circumstance be given
when once war has broken out No
fighting ship of the first class should
ever be laid up save for necessary re
pairs, and her crew should be kept
constantly exercised Oh the high seas,
so that she may stand ut the highest
point of perfection. To put new and
unframed crew upon the most powerful
battleShip and send il out to meet II
formidable enemy is not only to invite,
but to insure disaster and disgrace. TO
improviSe crews at the outbreak of
war, so far as the serious lighting craft
are concerned, is absolutely hopeless.
If the officers and men are not thor
oughly skilled in and have not been
thoroughly trained to their duties il
would be far better to keep the ships
i'll port during hostiIities than TO send
them against Il formidable opponent,
for the result could only be that they
would be either sunk or captured. The
craftsmanship of our navy is now on
the whole in gratifying condition.
and there has been Il great improve
ment in fleet practice. We need ad-
ditiOnal seamen: we need large store
of reserve guns; we need sufficient
money for ample target practice, am
pie practice of every kind at sea. We
should substitute for comparatively in
efficient typeS-the old third class bat
tleship Texas, the single turreted mon
itOrs above mentioned and indeed all
the monitors and some of the old cruis-
modern seagoing vessels.
SeagOing torpedo boat destrOyers
should be substituted for some Of The
smaller torpedo boats. During the
present congress there need be no ad-
ditions TO the aggregate number Of
units of the navy. Our navy, though
very small relatively 10 the navies of
other nations. is for the present suffi-
cient in point of numbers for our needs,
and. while we must constantly strive
10 make its efficiency higher, there need
be no additions to the total number of |
ships now built and building save in |
he way of substitution as above out |
lined. / recommend the report of the |
secretary of the navy to the careful /
of the congress, espe- |
tally with a view to the Legislation |
herein advocated.
Naturalization Laws.
During the past year evidence has ac-
inundated to confirm the expressions
Contained in my last two annual mes
ages as TO the Importance of revising
" appropriate legislation our system
f naturalizing aliens. i appointed last
March n commission TO make a careful
of our naturalization laws
md TO suggest appropriate measures to
void the notorious abuses resulting |
rom the improvident or unla wful
granting of citizenship. This commits
ion. composed of an officer of the de
OF state. of the department of
Justice and of the department of com
nerce and labor. has discharged the
luty imposed upon il and has submit
Ell report, which will be transmitted
D the congress for its consideration
nd. hope. for its favorable action.
The distinguishing recommendations
4 the commission are:
First--A federal bureau Of naturali
alton. 10 be established in the depart
nent OF commerce and labor. 10 SUI
ervise the administrat ton of the natu-
alization laws and TO receive returns
Z naturalizations pending and accom-
hshed
Second.-Uniformity OF naturalization