The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-24
BONAPARFRFOR BIGGER HAVF.
SAYS HE HAS REVISED HIS OPIN-
ION or 4 YEAR AGO.


FWaNh hN w. VAANhA is AN0AN w
would Add strength 20 Navy without
Great Cost -FaNOrs a wise I-IOcranty
Charles j. i;onapar te,, Secretary OF the
Navy, has reversed his opinion Of a year
ago regarding the increase in the naval
strength of the United States. la an all
dress delivered last night at the annual
banquet OF the Society Of Naval Architects
and Marine Engineers at Delmonico's he
said
IL believe in a navy and it isn't because !
am the Secretary. believe in II because
We, have q great country, and to Keep II
great we must have q great navy. ] 10 moi
mean that n great navy 10 necessary to the
security OF the cou ntry but mean that il
our country could be indifferent to those
interests for which a great navy is essential
IL would no longer be a great country.
"A great country does not mean many
acres of land-it is one which contains men
who appreciate the privilege OF living in
u great country n of forming part Of the
nation, who believe in having the things
essential TO a great nation. 10 discharge
properly our duty in the family of nations
We must have a navy worthy of the country.
III | arm promoted TO any other position
or TO private life-whatever the future
may bring-l shall hav greater respect
for the personnel of the navy for its
efficiency to the country because of the
sixteen months occupation OF my present
position.
Unless l am greatly mistaken. the navy
consists of two elements. shi ps and men
Those present are interested ~ both, but
more directly in the first named; but the
men are essential to the ships. Unless we
have men to man the ships and to rende
the nnRineR more ThQn "A danupF RI th0TD-
selves, the ships a~ndlengines are useless.
However, l will confine myself TO a brief
expression of my views as to what should
be the material elements OF our naval
strength. i nave passed the last two days
in preparing my annual report and for tina
purpose went into rural solitude in New
York Qaughter), where the play Of such
imitation OF genius as l could muster would
not be disturbed by the vulgar crowd.
In my last nnual report-Im sure
you all read it with care Qaughterf-I ex-
pressed the opinion hat il, on the whole
the navy maintained the strength IL then
had actually or IN prospect, or that ] under
stood II to have, itought 20 be sufficient for
all contingencies that mi ght arise in the
future az far as could forsee but in the
report | expect to make l will take it back.
! | think that q reasonable increase in ma
terial strength is Indispensable for safe
guarding the interests commitfed TO it's
care. OF course, that does not mean an
AlSiNdnV Va '" IIOROi 1uihCNlH
OF organization or to the purposes for which
il war formed.
As matters stand we ought to do more
than hold our own in naval construction.
My opinion may not be Of much value, but
| will say that j no longer feel that the mere
maintenance of the existing strength of
the navy is sufficient, and merely 60 replace
the obsolete but not to go beyond the aggre-
gate Of the force represe'- ting that already
under our control.
aIhnra a a,lFhar aa-a1 - fhsA .aaaNta
to which all patriotic citizens should give
heed. and rhat is unless our navy ia sus-
tanned by the ~Ia6ources OF an adequate
merchant marlnSR 1he navy must be Ynavoid
ably and greatly increased. ] I'm not deal
ing now with the economic aspect, but from
a naval standpoint, and | believe that it is a
wise economy for our Government to pro-
mote that form OF our naval strength in
volved in the enlargement of our merchant
marine which will enable us to second duly
the navy in time of ~exigency and TAX the
place OF certain elements of naval strength
which must otherwise he provided for in
the navy itself.
This il a cheap way of adding certain
elements Of naval strength. In the absence
of such merchant marine which il IN desir-
able we should nave We must submit to
greater sacrifice in the avy than would
otherwise be necessary. | am dealing in
generalitiee only.
Il think | can speak with sufficient en-
DldHih ana CledtlCSS 10 IeaNe no uOuOL III
the minds OF my hearers az to my own
desire that there should be ~inaugurated
at this time a wise Gberality, first, regard
to the navy itself; second. in regard TO its
natural auxiliary, the merchant marine.
You all understand that the Secretary
of the Navy can recommend and advise
and call attention to those in power, but
actual power hes elsewhere. Like every
thing else, this is a question OF money,
and those who give or withhold money can
give or withhold a navy. The responsibility
for the efficacy OF the navy now rests in
hat branch Of the executive government
which decides what money shall be devoted
to that purpose. As far as my own re-
sponsibility goes. j I'M willing to bear it
along with my other sins" Laughter and
cheers.l
Informal speeches were also made by
Admiral J, B. Coghlan. commandment of the
Brooklyn navy yard Lewis Nixon and
Congressman Loudenslager OF the House
Committee on Naval Affairs.
CLOSING SESSION OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS.
The second and closing session of the
fourteenth annual meeting OF the Society
Of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
was held yesterday in the auditorium OF
the American Society Of Mechanical En-
g~ineers, u West Thirty-frst street.
The following papers were read and dis
cussed: "A Modern Fleet" by Capt. 4. B.
Barry. U. s. N; Recent Developments
in Armor and Armament" by John +.
Meigs, Engineer of Ordnance, Bethle hem
Steel Company; The Development of War
Ship Design" by Naval Constructor r. II.
Robinson, u N; development of Sub
Marines" by Lawrence Y. Spear, vice
president Of the Electric Boat Company;
aThe Eject of the Universal Rule on Yacht
Design" by Martin C.. Erissman of Forest
and Stream; The Gasoline Engine" by
Arthur T. Chester. former naval officer;
"A New Sea Anchor for Coalng at Sea"
by Spencer Miller of the Underwood Manu-
featuring Company.
Resolutions were adopted commencing
the recent address of Secretary Root before
The Trans Mississippi Commer cial Congress
at Kansas City, Mo.