the navy. The vessels of the navy are assigned to different squadrons under Administhe personal charge of vice admirals. The general direction of all tration of naval affairs, plans for the coöperation of the different squadrons and the suggestion of improvements in naval administration, are given to the Secretary of the Navy, aided by the Admiral and a General Board. Long, J. D. To facilitate the movements of the vessels of the navy, naval sta- Stations, tions have been established at various places with intermediate coaling yards, and stations. A hundred million dollars have been spent for the construc- academy. tion of docks and navy yards, the latter being now equipped for building war vessels, including battleships. In 1845 a naval academy was founded at Annapolis, Maryland, for the training of officers. As with the military cadets, the midshipmen are appointed by the representatives, senators, or the President, the latter being allowed to name fifteen from the country at large. The course includes four years at the academy and two years of active service at sea. Training ships are also maintained at various places, and a Naval War College gives instruction at Washington. in Outlook, 73 (1903), 330-337. water tection. pro Rev., 186 241. Coast Defense. In theory, at least, our preparation Land and for war has been undertaken with a view to avoiding future conflicts. This has made it especially necessary to defend our coast, because of the great value of the property that might be destroyed by war vessels. At all important seaports, Hill, G. G., some forms of coast defense are provided. The most impor- in No. Am. tant of these are the coast defense vessels, usually heavily (1907), armored monitors or floating batteries, and the land batteries, 554-564. composed of large mortars and very powerful guns, often mounted on disappearing carriages. The channels are well guarded by torpedoes or submarine mines, controlled by electricity from the nearest fort or battery. Although many harbors are totally undefended, or so inadequately that a fleet could reduce the defenses without difficulty, there is little danger that, with our modern equipment, any foe could approach within striking distance of our great cities without probability of almost total destruction. 242. Pension Legislation. Control of military affairs Need. Presdemands not only preparation for future wars, but reparation ent laws. for past conflicts. National honor requires that the families of those soldiers who gave their lives for their country in Glasson, the time of its extremity shall not be left to suffer for want of the necessaries of existence. Congress has, in fact, done much more. Any soldier or seaman who enlisted in the Civil War, and who is now unable to earn a livelihood, may receive a monthly pension from the government. Old-age pensions are also given to soldiers irrespective of their disability. Numerous soldiers' homes, besides special sanito riums, are provided for aged or invalid veterans. Such a liberal policy is in keeping with the large-heartedness of the American Nation, but it is a policy the administration of which opens the way to many abuses. Two periods The pension policy of the United States has passed through two pe(historical). riods of changes. Before 1890, only those who had been actually disabled in service, or who had been left destitute by the death in war of the wage earner of the family, received pensions. Since 1890, any soldier who suffered the loss of even a finger in battle, or has since become unable to provide for himself, can be placed on the pension list. By the law of 1907 pensions of $12 or more are given to all old soldiers over sixty-two years of age, increasing to $20 at seventy-five years. In 1882 there were but 285,697 persons receiving $54,296,281. In 1907, the number had risen to 967,371, and the expenditures to $138,030,894.22. General References Hart, Actual Government, pp. 430-480. Curtis, The United States and Foreign Powers. Foster, The Practice of Diplomacy. North American Review, 172 (1901), 381-393; 173 (1901), 102–133. Vanderlip, Frank A., Commercial Invasion of Europe; also in Scribner's Magazine, 31 (1902), 3-22, 194–213, 287–306. Topics 1. GERMANY, ENGLAND, AND THE UNITED STATES: Bigelow, P., in Contemporary Review, 77 (1900), 881-891; Burgess, J. W., in Political Science Quarterly, 19 (1904), 1-19; Stone, N. I., in North American Review, 182 (1906), 433-445; Willis, H. P., in Journal of Political Economy, 15 (1907), 321–344, 385-397. 2. THE ISTHMIAN CANAL: Morgan, J. T., in North American Review, 174 (1902), 672-686; Burr, W. H., in Scribner's, 31 (1902), 145-169; Taft, W. H., in Century, 78 (1906), 300-313, and in McClure's Magazine, 33 (1909), 3–14; Carr, J. F., in Outlook, 82 (1906), 947–963; Annals of American Academy of Political Science, 17 (1901), 397-408; 19 (1902), 1–23; Independent, 60 (1906), 589–596, 653-660, 709–716; 66 (1909), 972–980; Barrett, J., in Review of Reviews, 31 (1905), 161–170; Outlook, 91 (1909), 929–954. 3. TRADE WITH LATIN AMERICA: Bulfin, S. A., in World's Work, 4 (1902), 2533-2550; Freeman, L. R., in Engineering Magazine, 33 (1907), 859-868; Lewis, B. G., in Journal of Political Economy, 14 (1906), 602–613. 4. THE NEW AMERICAN NAVY: Melville, G. W., in North American Review, 176 (1903), 376–390; Gleaves, A., in World's Work, 5 (1903), 3059-3081; 8 (1904), 4895-4903; Hurd, A. S., in Booklovers Magazine, 5 (1905), 745–759, and in Cassier's Magazine, 32 (1907), 467-477; Conolly, J. B., in Scribner's Magazine, 40 (1906), 659–667; Morrison, J. H., in Scientific American Supplement, 64 (1907), 308310, 332-334, 342-343; Reuterdahl, H., in McClure's Magazine, 30 (1908), 251-263, 517–520; Scientific American, 98 (1908), 38–39, 60–62. Studies 1. Duties of belligerent States toward neutral States. Lawrence, Principles of International Law, pp. 500–517. 2. Selection of diplomats. Foster, Practice of Diplomacy, pp. 34–54. 3. Immunities of diplomats. Foster, Practice of Diplomacy, pp. 159-174. 4. The tariff in its relations to American industries. Annals of American Academy of Political Science, 29 (1907), 515–558. 5. How to extend commerce with the far East. North American Review, 181 (1905), 518-529. Jenks, J. W., in 6. Reciprocity in the American tariff system. Osborne, J. B., in Annals of American Academy of Political Science, 23 (1904), 55-83. 7. Bureau of American republics. Rockhill, W. W., in Forum, 30 (1900), 21-27. 8. Consular service as a career. Osborne, J. B., in Forum, 39 (1907), 122-135. 9. Patrol of our coasts. Hewitt, A., in Outlook, 79 (1905), 531542. 10. Is the United States prepared for war? Huidekoper, F. L., in North American Review, 182 (1906), 161–178, 391-407 11. Work and play of military attachés. Mott, T. B., in Scrib ner's Magazine, 34 (1903), 293–306. 12. Army maneuvers. (1906), 259–275. Sanders, H. F., in Overland Monthly, 48 13. Signal corps in war time. zine, 66 (1903), 811-826. 14. Promotion in the army. 151-159. Greely, A. W., in Century Maga Parker, J. H., in Forum, 33 (1902), 15. The history of the American army. Greene, F. V., in Scribner's Magazine, 30 (1901), 286-311, 446-462, 593-613. 16. General staff. Carter, W. H., in North American Review, 175 (1903), 558-565. 17. New Naval Academy. Wainwright, R., in World's Work, 4 (1902), 2269-2285; Worthington, W. F., in Engineering Magazine, 32 (1907), 844-859. 18. Defenses of the Pacific coast. Dutton, A. H., in Overland Monthly, 50 (1907), 199-207. 19. Waterway defenses of the Atlantic coast. Roe, W. J., in Popular Science Monthly, 69 (1906), 530-538. Questions 1. Compare the rights of neutrals against belligerents with the obligations of neutrals toward belligerents. 2. Name any recent treaties of importance. at once by the Senate? Were they ratified 3. Name at least four representatives of the United States at foreign courts. Name two foreign ambassadors at Washington. Give some account of at least two of these men. foreign powers in the city in which we live ? Are there any consuls of 4. What practical difficulties are encountered in concluding reciprocity treaties ? With what important nations have we had reciprocity treaties during the last twenty years? 5. How much was spent last year in the improvement of rivers and harbors ? Were any of the improvements of direct benefit to the section in which we live? 6. Look up the number of vessels of each class in the navy. Compare the navy with that of Germany; with that of Japan. What is the difference between a battleship and a cruiser ? |