The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-12-16

ton, the secretary rteonmonds the au.
thoriaation Of two battleshirs two
colliora. one gunboai. one river gun.
boat two sea going tugs, four slbma-
rincs aud one submarine tender lie
strongly dcprccatcs any break in The
established policy because of its evil
effect ON the thpyards Of the country
upon whose maintenance the navy must
depend In time OF war. The small
nruisers and gunboats are becoming
useless through age and while the de-
partment desires TO minimize expendl-
lures on such vessels Of slight military
value, a certain number are absolutely
necessary for police duty, surveying
and other work incidental to times Of
peace
Ten Effective Years.
Twenty years is about the effective
life of battoship and even then the
last ten years of that period should
be spent in the second line of defense.
This short life is rather the result Of
evolution in ship design and ordnance
than of actual decrease in efficiency in
the ship itself To mako up for the
retirement of these obsolete vessels,
there must be authorized in addition
to the two ships per year provided in
the established program a sufficient
number of vessels to maintain the fleet
at the minimum of twenty ships of the
first line.
To Enforce Peace.
As it will be necessary for at least
five or six nations ~ maintain ngvies
to enforce the decree of an interna-
tional eolrt, the secretary does not feel
that we are very near the international
settlement of all issues and the era of
international peace, and he declares
that the delusion that nation with
a large population, great wealth and
resources is immune from attack has
been dispelled by the history of war.
A formidable array of tables showing
the enormous amount of naval construc-
tion now under way or authorized by
foreign nations, is presented to justify
the appeal for an adherence to the
regular building program in this com
| try.
Quicker Promotion.
Our flag officers are the Oldest in the
world and consequently retire within
year or two after attaining that rank
without developing their fullest eff
cheney. Therefore, the secretary urges
strongly the passage of the personnel
bill now pending before congress
which will insure rapidity of promotion
and the accession to the higher grades
of the service of a limited number of
officers especially qualified. He also
requests the creation of grades above
the present rear-admirals so as to con
form to foreign naval practise and
sound administration.
Marine Corps Troubles.
The troubles which have agitated the
, marine corps during the past year find
their reflex in q recommendation that
the appointment of the Gommandant OF
:; corps (who should be maJor-gen-
eral) should be limited to four years
, instead of the present indefinite term
while the marines themselves should be
stationed in two principal posts, one
: ON the Atlantic and one on the Pacific
, coasts. only small police details being
. assigned to the various navy yards.
Aviator Scouts.
4 Secretary Meyer speaks with pride oil
the working of the reorganization
scheme inaugurated by himself and
points to saving of about $4,OOO,OOV
y in the estimates for the next fiscal year
S referring to the success of Aviator Eu
y bene Ely in his flight from the cruiser
d Birmingham, the secretary says that il
: appears to be practicable also for an
= aeroplane to board ship. But even ii
1 an aerial scout could not land con q
: ship from his aeroplane he could be
taken aboard from the water to make
his report and the loss of the aeroplan'
T would be of no moment. So he re
+ quests an appropriation of $4,000 t.
> continue the aeroplane experiments.