The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-02


In destroyers and submarines and are
also woefully deficient in GOLFERS" says
Secretary OF the Navy Victor VI. Metcalf
in his annual report. just submitted.
He calls attention 10 the fact that the
American navy at the present time Is
second in efficiency and says this posi-
ton will not be very long maintained un-
less congress shall authorize the build
ing of additional ships.
He recommends that there be author
lied four battleships, four scout cruisers.
ten destroyers four submarines, one am
muntion ship. one repair ship two mine
laying ships and four fleet colliers, at a
total cost OF s69,27o.0Oo.
lie declares 1t is OF the highest Inn
portance that old and practically obso-
Iete Ships be replaced by ships of the
newest type.
IL is pretty generally conceded that the
battleship is the lighting machine. and 1t
is also pretty generally conceded that the
most effective battleship is the all big
gun ship OF tho Delaware type. he says
He urges the advisability OF adding to
the officers OF the navy two vice ad-
mirals At present, he explains, an officer
in chief command of one OF the most
powerful American fleets may at any
time upon visiting some foreign port find
himself in. the humlliating position of
being subordinate to some vice admiral
in the service of country that has few
hrst-class vessels OF war
The necessity for vice. admirals Will be-
come still more apparent, he asserts, on
the next occasion when vessels of the
American navy are called upon TO CO.
operate with those OF other nations in
preserving the peace in some turbulent
quarter He adds: 1T is not appropriate,
and not I'm the general interest. that the
United States should be relegated TO
subordinate position at such times"
METCALFs REPORT
Secretary Metcalfs report. in part, fol-
lows
PERSONNEL IMPROVING.
The department invites attention 10
the continued marked Improvement OF the
enlisted personnel. both as regards the
general intelligence of the individual and
his attention to duty. The earnest work of
the recruiting service has contributed
lstments. especially from the rural por-
tions OF the country, indicate that the
young men now obtained are drawn from
IA self-respecting and most desirable
class.
1T Is believed that the present high
standard will he maintained, for the ef-
fort OF the department Is TO disseminate
Information about the navy, calling espe-
clal attention TO the honorable, remmera-
tive and satisfactory career IL offers to
young men, with its provision of a fair
life income after retirement from active
service.
MEN DENIED NATURALIzAT1oN.
Soon after assuming my present du-
lies I issued instructions forbidding the
enlistment In the navy OF persons not citi-
gens OF the United States At the time
OF the issuance of this order. however,
there were among the enlisted personnel
aliens not naturalized, many of whom
have become attached to the service and
the flag and who earnestly desire TO as
sumo the privileges and obligations ~
citizenship.
unfortunately. those OF them who have
found opportunity to make application for
citizenship have been denied naturaliZa-
ion upon the ground that they failed TO
establish a period of residence on shore.
Peculiar as the situation thus disclosed
may appear II would seem that an alien
i'm such condition must temporarily leave
the United States navy and forfeit .he
standing and financial advantages OF con-
tinuous service on the one hand on
the other lose the advantages OF citizen
ship.
"Thc department is i'm receipt of nu-
merous appeals from the men concerned
as well as certain criticisms on the sub
1ect nom correspondents philanthropical-
ly interested a. the welfare OF the enlist
ed force of the navy. II is believed to be
.ls l. h.
statutes governing the matter should be
so modified as to provide that service dur
ing one full term of enlistment i'm the
army, the navy or Marine Corps. with
proof OF honorable discharge therefrom
should he all that is necessary i'm order
TO entitle an alien 10 citizenship in the
country he has thus faithfully served.
URGES TWO VICE ADMIRALS
'I cordially concur with those of my
predecessors who have urged the advisa-
bility OF adding TO the list OF officers OF
the navy two vice admirals The mod
ern practice of manoeuvring considerable
aggregatons of warships under single
command renders this highly desirable in
order that there may be grades of rank
suited TO the control OF squadrons, divi-
sions and fleets and for the prompt and
systematic direction of groups of naval
vessels whether small or large.
1T is not appropriate. II is not in the
general interest that the United States
should be relegated TO a subordinate po-
stion at such times merely because some
other government may happen to have
present an officer of the rank of vice ad-
miral. Service and political reasons,
therefore. alike support the conclusion
that such grade would be highly useful
20 the present organization of the navy.
NAVY RANKS SECOND.
1T Is true that our navy at the present
time is the second in efficiency. our po-
sition. however. is largely due 20 the fac;
that during the past fiscal year our sea
strength and fghtipg efficiency have
been increased by the completion and de-
livery of a number OF new battleships and
cruisers Of the largest and most approved
type, but we will not maintain this posi-
tion very long unless congress shall au-
horize the building OF additional ships.
1T is of the highest Importance that
old and practically obsolete ships be re-
placed by ships of the newest type. II Is
pretty generally conceded that the battle
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