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Page 8
The New York agents were so proud of their fine ship, that on her
arrival here after her first trip, they issued numbers of invitations to
people to visit her at her dock in Hoboken. The people responded in such
vast numbers that the docks were thronged, and the assistance of the
police had to be called in to prevent accidents.
At the time of the great naval review at Spithead, in celebration of the
Queen's jubilee, the _Teutonic_, of the White Star line, was called on
to take part in the review as one of the naval reserve. We told you
about it on page 1,086.
Our country is also taking active steps to secure a good naval reserve.
At the present time there are forty-two vessels on the navy list which
could be used for war purposes in time of need. To make the number yet
larger, the Government has called upon all owners of large steamers and
steam yachts to give information of the size and strength of their
vessels, so that they can be added to the reserve list.
There should be a good many available vessels among the many fine yachts
that sail our waters. We are as a nation extremely fond of yachting, and
almost every wealthy man we have possesses a craft of some kind. Many of
these yachts are models of build and speed, and should make excellent
gunboats.
Some people have supposed that this inquiry into the ships available for
war service must mean that we are about to fight Spain, but they are
entirely mistaken. The Navy Department has realized that our navy is our
weakest point, and is doing its best to get it into such a fine
condition that we need not fear any foe either on land or sea.
There is an old proverb which says, "In times of peace prepare for war,"
and a very excellent proverb it is.
The Navy Department is also most anxious to secure more seamen to man
its vessels, and to that end is opening recruiting offices in Chicago
and throughout the West. We need more sailors and more officers to
properly fit out our navy, and the department is making earnest efforts
to secure them.
We are so short-handed at present that the cruiser _Philadelphia_,
returning from Hawaii, was obliged to transfer part of her officers and
crew to the _Baltimore_, which was to take her place at Honolulu. There
were not enough sailors available to man the _Baltimore_ without this
exchange.
* * * * *
It is said that the health of good old Oom Paul is failing, and that he
is not likely to live very long.
In spite of this, the rugged old President of the Transvaal is so
anxious to be re-elected that he is going round the country making
speeches and trying to secure votes, as if he were still a young man.
Oom Paul has three times been made President of the Transvaal. The
presidents of the South African Republic hold office for five years, so
the reins of government have been in this one man's hands for fifteen
years.
He is opposed by General Joubert, the man who beat the English at the
battle of Majuba Hill.
General Joubert is also much beloved by the people, and has twice before
opposed Oom Paul for the office of President, but there is little chance
of any other candidate being elected, so long as Paul Kruger is willing
to run for office.
The Boers have a reverence and love for this great leader of theirs
which is touching. They regard him as the father of their country, and
feel it their duty to support him.
One old man who was asked at the last election whether he meant to vote
for Kruger or Joubert, replied indignantly:
"Paul Kruger is as my father; I am as his son. Do you think I would
disobey him?"
As the majority of the voters in the Transvaal seem to feel in the same
way, there is little doubt that Oom Paul will be re-elected.
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