Naval Expansion in the West Indies
Secretary Moody has selected Guantanamo, Cuba, as the principal United States naval station in the West Indies. Twenty square miles of land is to be purchased on both sides of the bay, as well as several small islands. When the necessary legislation has been secured, barracks and strong fortifications will be erected. The Navy Department has called for bids for the construction of the three 16,000-ton battle-ships whose construction Congress has authorized. They will be the most powerful vessels in the navy. They will carry 44 heavy guns from 12-inch down to 3-inch, besides 30 guns of smaller caliber. The names of these vessels will be the Kansas, Vermont, and Minnesota. The Mississippi and Idaho will be 13,000-ton vessels.