The Hickman Courier

Immediate, Three Armored Cruisers of 13,000 Tons; Twelve Gunboats of 900 Tons, and Three Protected Cruisers of 8,000 Tons.

Washington, Dec. 4.—The annual report of the secretary of the navy just made public is a document of unusual interest, dealing not only with the work of the navy during the past year, and important recommendations for future, but also discussing important questions relating to the navy, including the authorization of 18 new war ships, the imperative need of special legislation in the early days of congress for armor of the best quality that can be obtained, and the proposition that the thanks of congress be given to the commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic squadron and to the officers and men under his command for the part they took in the naval operations at Santiago.

These larger items of the report receive extended attention at the hands of Secretary Long. As to the increase of the navy he says:

The number of large, swift and powerful armored cruisers of great coal endurance in our navy is largely disproportionate to the rest of the naval establishment. The experience of the last year has also shown the need of several smaller vessels, usually classed as gunboats.

It is therefore, recommended that congress be required to authorize the construction of the following vessels:

'First—Three armored cruisers of about 18,000 tons trial displacement, of a maximum draft at deep load not to exceed 26 feet, carrying the heaviest armor and most powerful ordnance for vessels of their class, to be so sheathed and to have the highest practicable speed and great radius of action.

'Second—Twelve gunboats of about 900 tons trial displacement, to be sheathed and coppered.

'And third, as recommended a year ago, three protected cruisers of about 8,000 tons trial displacement, carrying the most powerful ordnance for vessels of this class to be sheathed and coppered and to have the highest