Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-06
BASES FOR OUR SHIPS
Greatest Need of Navy, Ad-
miral PiIIsbury Says.
DANGER IF WAR COMES
Defended Ports in Philippines and
Caribbean Vital to Success.
REPORT TO THE SECRETARY
Wants Naval Bureau Changed to
Bureau of Personnel and
the Fleet"

In his annual report to the Secretary Of
the Navy Rear Admiral Pillsbury. chief
OF the bureau of navigation, invites spe-
cial attention ito the lack of a defended
naval base in either the insular posses
sions in the cast or in the Caribbean sea,
the probable theaters' of action in any
war in which the navy might be called
upon to engage"
So importan is this question to the
nation that Admiral Pillsbury suggests
that ''al appropriations for new improve
! ments at naval stations or for the defense
of the coast ports of the United States
should give way to the establishment and
the defense of naval bases in the Philip
pines. at Pearl harbor and at Guanta-
namo. for these bases arc vital to our
success III war.
Five Vice Admirals Urged.
1t is urged as due to the service and to
the country that the commanders-in-chief
of our Atlantic and Pacific fleets should
at least have the rank of vice admiral.
and it is recommended that five vice ad.
mfrals he authorized by the Congress to
he selected by board composed of high
ranking line officers the retired list.
Referring to the long cruise of the At
lantic fleet, Admiral Pillsbury says that
IL VIII uOt OiiS prove I'D De or great Dene-
fit to the service from the practice that it
has given to the personnel of the fleet,
but also TO the nation from the good fell
lowship induced by the friendly inter-
mingIing of so many Americans with the
people of the countries visited.
Few Aliens in Service.
Admiral Pillsbury reports that the num-
Der of aliens in the service is steadily de-
creasing. as only citizens of the United
States and natives of the insular possess
sions are enlisted. and aliens serving
under continuous service are required to
| take out full citizenship papers before
| they can again enter the service. That
the number of re-enlistments has notably
| increased during the past year is un-
doubtedly due in part to recent additions
| to the pay of the enlisted force.
The bureau invites attention to the
difficulty experienced in filling vacancies
among the musicians and in the messman
branch. Bandsmen, cooks and stewards
were formerly recruited mainly from
aliens who were willing to enlist for the
| rates of pay allowed: but notwiths,and-
ing extensive advertising and the efforts
of all recruiting officers. the necessary
number of native or naturalized Ameri-
cans cannot be induced to enlist and
| the present rates of pay of the bands
man and OF the meSSman branch must be
materially increased if compliments are
| to be filed. Admiral Pillsbury says that
| the act of May Ii. 1903, providing that
| enlisted bandsmen shall not play off of
| government RI servations, has rendered il
impossible to obtain even Iow-grade mu-
sicians for the meager pay allowed these
rates.
Practically all has been done that 10
possible. consistent with economy. in
amelioratfng the condition of the en-
listed man on shipboard. and in order
that the percentage or assertions may
be decreased. with corresponding econ.
omy to the government the bureau rec
ommends for the offense of desertion an
adequate reward for the apprehension
and delivery of deserters, with. in
cases of conviction. confinement at hard
la Dor as part punishment and dis
honorable discharge at the expiration
of terms of confinement.
Change of Bureau Name.
In order that the name may correctly
describe the duties of the bureau it is
recommended that Congress be request
ed to enact the necessary legislation to
change the name of the bureau of nayi-
cation to the bureau of personnel and
the fleet
1t is recommended that the age of
candidates entering the Naval Academy
after July l, 1910. be from fifteen 20
seventeen, inclusive, and also that the
period of nomination of midshipmen by
members of Congress be extended from
four to six years.
Another recommendation is that
steps be taken by the Navy Department
to acquire the land Of the late James
town exposition, with a view to the
establishment there of naval training
station. with suitable barracks and &C
ceSsOries.