To Man the New Battleships Being Completed
Washington, D. C, April 9.—The difficulty in securing a sufficient number of sailors to man the new battleships and other naval craft which are being turned out by our ship-builders has led to the renewal in some quarters of the suggestion that some of the larger vessels of Admiral Watson’s squadron be withdrawn from the Philippines to make up the complements of the new ships at home. It is stated at the Navy Department, however, that no action in that direction has been determined upon, and in view of the expected arrival on the Asiatic station within a fortnight of Admirals Romey and Kempff, and the ensuing division of the naval force on the station into two squadrons, it is not contemplated that any change will be made.
The Navy Department officials realize that for the purposes for which the navy Is now employed in the Philippines small, light draft gunboats are more valuable than big battleships and monitors with their numerous crews. Still conditions In the East are so unsettled as to make a withdrawal of any portion of the large United States force doubtful at this time, in view of the possibility of wholesale demands for protection of American interests from points on the mainland of Asia. This possibly has influenced the Navy Department in the disposition of the ships in the East, though it is also possible that Admiral Watson himself has seen fit to give the necessary orders without Instructions from Washington.
It has been arranged that an American warships will be at hand for some
time to come at no less than three properly distributed points on the mainland, which will serve as stations of refuge In case they are needed. Thus, at Hong Kong, there are now two vessels and they will be from time to time relieved by others needing repairs. At Foo Chow, opposite Formosa and about half way up the coast of China, the Yorktown will spend some time in dry dock. The Castine is undergoing repairs further north at Shanghai and the Wheeling is lying at the mouth of the river at Taku as sentinel for the northern provinces.
Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, VA, April 10, 1900