The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-11
FLEET GETS PRAISE
N METCALF REPORT
Cruise Declared Most Not
able Naval Event of
Past Year.
CHANGE IN RANK
is A SUGGESTION
Thinks Gap Between Admiral and
Rear Admiral Should Be
Filled.

Ex-Secretarv OF the Navy Victor II.
NIetcalf has submitted TO the President
his annual report. which was made pub
lie today
While Mr. MetcaIf recommends the
approprlation by this Congress Of suffi-
Gent money to start construction on
four au-big-gun warshiDs suggests
that the method Of Naval administra-
ton be changed and reviews generally
the needs of the department. the apple
Of his eye. evidently, has been the
cruise Of the battleships around the
Horn. across the Pacific and back
home
''The most notable event Of the past
year." says the report, rs the voyage
OF the battleship fleet. This has proven
an epoch-making. cruise, the longest
ever undertaken by such a number OF
battleships. and has enlisted the inter
ested attention OF the naval world"
IN spite Of belief by many to the
contrary, the report continues, the voy-
age has demonstrated that the ships
have practically taken care OF their own
repairs on this cruise. The performance
OF the Oregon in 1895 has, it seems. been
substantially repeated"
GledS6Q WIN voyage
While Mr.. Metcalf thinks that it IS
too soon to sum up the effects OF the,
voyage. since IT is hardly more than
half over, he does say ct has given us
an opportunity TO get better acquainted
with the republics TO the south OF US;
with our island possessions, with the
new and vigorous branch Of the British
Empire in Australia, and particularly
with Japan. Between the United States
end every country visited there is a
feeling Of deeper interest and friend
amp than existed before the fleet sailed.
our own Pacific coast and island nos
sessions have been placed in sight and
touch with the strength Of the nation.
NO doubt. therefore. can remain, that
the cruise Of the battleship fleet has
marked long stride in the direction Of
international peace, and has tended ma
terally 90 cement the traditional
friendships Of the United States with
the countries at whose ports this inter
national call has been paid
IN closing his remarks on the cr,,tsa
the Secretary says that while the 5eet
may not be perfect technically 49,
Know that 1t. can float, although we q re
IloC gong TO depend on any past or
present performances.
compares Worlds Navies.
In reviewing the work Of foreign
navies. Mr.. Metcalf comments upon +5a
dispatch with which battIeships ara con-
, structed in England and Germany. in
stances being given in which war YES
sells Of the most awesome type ara fin
lshed IN about twelve months. The
building program OF the principaI ns-
uons as given in the report, battIesbins
ana total amount appropriated alone he
ing set forth here, is as follows: Eng
iaad' one battleship: amount appropr.i-
ated. Sb,TS,S25; France, one battlesbip
authorized in budget, appropriation s2I =
V"'VV; Germany, three battIeshiDs.
amount appropriated, $1,000 600: Japan
Two reported and two fast battlesbips
TECHNICALLY, armOred cruisers), no an
propriation mentioned. Russia, the re-
port shows, has probably decided on the
cO.S IFuCllon OF four battleshiDs. italy
VIII build one vessel Of this tvpe. SDafn
mas begun the renovation OF her nav
and VIII spend about SIS. 10000 on the
mas voted 100000 for the Increase in
Ier Heet- while Brazil Will make no ad-
uillons 10 her navy at present.
Inc sea strength In battleships OF the
various nations on Novemb Der l is given
as follows: England. 90: France IS:
United Sattes, %: Germany y: japan.
IL Russia, .; Italy, 3; Austria, g.
Settlement Of Contracts.
: Under the discussion Of settlement OF
ship contracts. the Secretary said: Leg
1siation providing that. after the lapse
or two years from the completion and
acceptance of any naval vessel. the
prosecution before any branch Of the
Government OF claims growing out OF
their construction be barred, is recon-
mended-' This recommendation is made
because there are now before the Court
Of Claims suits originally entered by
persons who built vessels during the
civil war
Under the head OF Ordnance. the
Secretary suggests that in order that
this nation may not lag behind the rest
OF the world in such matters ryiOneX
should be appropriated specifically. for
experiment work with projectiles and
ammunition. The mOdernization OF the
Old-style battleships is urged. and the
substitution Of new-style guns and small