Prepare War

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Sep 24, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 39.

"Prepare War."—Captain Charles D. Sigsbee, of the United States Navy, chief of the Naval Intelligence Bureau, has just made public his notes on present naval construction in the various countries of the world. This report shows plainly that no pains or expense are being spared in the different nations to bring up the fighting strength of their respective navies. The new estimates for the naval construction of the coming year, or years, indicates an adherence to a well-defined program for a steady increase, or a desire to make such addition as the financial conditions of the various countries will permit. In all countries there is a tendency to the building of larger battle-ships and cruisers, better protection for guns and gunners, quicker firing high-power guns, and much more attention to marksmanship than ever before, while experiments are being made with devices which will permit a larger area of action. Target practice is now carried on at much greater ranges than formerly, and great attention is being given to devices for the aiming and controlling of torpedoes. Electricity is being brought into greater use in the manipulation of the apparatus of the vessels, and wireless telegraph apparatus is also being installed on board the ships. Nothing will be left undone to make of these fighting machines the most destructive weapons possible. The whole world is wrought up over war preparations and engaged in them, and the time when they will be put to their destructive work draws nigh.