The Kaiser Wilhelm does not, however, travel over the shorter route from Queenstown, but comes the longer way, from Southampton.  She made this trip in five days and twenty hours, beating the St. Paul by two hours all but five minutes, and on her return trip beat her own record by thirteen hours.

Boat-builders are very enthusiastic over the speed of the new steamer, and declare that it is only a matter of time when boats will be built which will make the trip across the ocean in four days.

The Kaiser Wilhelm, besides being such a fleet vessel, is beautifully arranged for the comfort of passengers, and is considered a model ship in every respect.

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.