The Washington herald., 1921-12-11
Especial c.sl. to Washington Hsr.id.)

Especial Cable to Washington Heraio)
LIMA, Dec. lO.-Even IF the
American naval mission in Peru
were not faced with the underhand-
ed opposition and whispering cam
paign its members would still be
faced by an almost impossible task
because of the lack of the material
Of which uavies are made. The float
ing units OF the Peruvian navy are
useless except as training stations,
there are no funds TO buy new out
fits, or even to use effectually what
already exists. and the sailors come
from an undisciplined race of people
which does not produce the sort OF
men necessary for modern navies.
There are $50 men in the entire
Peruvian navy. distributed among
four vessels. There are three cruis-
ers and one destroyer. all old and
small The cruiser Almirante Grau,
Of 1900 tons displacement, was built
in 1906 and its principal armament
consists of two siX-inch guns, The
cruiSer Coronel Bolagnesi is a sister
ship of the Almirante Grau. The
cruiser Lima is only of 100 tons
displacement. and also has two six
inch guns. The destroyer Teniente
Rodriguez Is a vessel of 500 tons
displacement The Peruvian naval
list also shows two French sub
marines built in 1912. but these
submarines are chained to mooring
buoys and are Of less use to the
navy than the barges which also
float in the harbor. because the
barges can be used occasionally for
carrying coal to the warships,
whereas the submarines cannot be
used for anything.
When the American mission
reached Lima il found that there
were no prospects OF the govern
ment being able to get funds with
which to buy new ships, so the mis-
sion set out to do the best IL could
with the material at hand. So far
the mission has been unable to get
even enough money to repair the
ships now in commission or to buy
coal for training cruises. Therefore
the reorganization efforts of the
American mission have had to be
devoted TO an effort to improve ad-
ministrative methods and the reor-
ganization Of the naval academy.
II was found that the naval acad-
modernized without the expenditure
Of any more money than IL was
costing TO operate il under the old
methods, but as soon as the mission
began applying the reforms which
had been proposed by the American
superinte ndent and approved by
j President Leguia. il was found that
7 the naval academy was a hornets
nest in disguise. Before the arrival
of the American mission the Peru
Wan naval academy was used as a
haven for the illegitimate sons OF
d Peruvian naval officers These boys
were admitted to the institution
/ without any examination or very
strict requirements as to repara-
tory education, and after two or
three years of perfunctory studying
they were given minor commits
sions in the navy and henceforward
received their living from the gov
eminent
The member Of the American mis-
sion who is acting as superintendent
OF the academy has instituted a
course Of study similar to that Of
Annapolis. and the students go
through a daily program OF study
and drill just as severe as the An
p napolis program.
When the American superinten-
all applicants for admission to the
academy must prove their legiti-
mate birth there arose an awful
uproar from the entire navy, sup
ported by a large section OF con-
Gress. but President Leguia backed
up the mission to the finish OF this
fight, and the new superintendent
won his point. Then he announced
that no one would be admitted 70
the academy without certain pre-
parstory education. and then only
upon the successful passing OF a
strict physical and mental examIna-
ton that would show their fitness
for the work to which they aspired.
Another storm OF protest followed
this announcement. but President
Leguia again backed up the mission
and the Peruvian Naval Academy