EXPENDITURES INCURRED IN THE SUPPORT AND NAVIGATION OF THE SEVERAL SHIPS, WAR VESSELS, TRANSPORTS, AIRCRAFT, ETC. Since May 4, 1927, the following ships have regularly operated and are now operating in West Indian waters in connection with conditions in Nicaragua: Rochester. Denver. Tulsa. The above ships constitute the special service squadron which normally operates in West Indian waters, so that there were no additional expenditures on account of conditions in Nicaragua. In addition to the foregoing, the following ships made one or more trips to Nicaraguan waters carrying marines or supplies or temporarily augmenting the strength of the special service squadron: The total cost of operation of the aircraft squadrons in Nicaragua Therefore, the additional expenditures of the aircraft squad- $135, 827. 63 81, 744. 73 54, 052. 90 The following statement shows the cost of commission of vessels assigned to duty in connection with the expedition to the Republic of Nicaragua from May 4, 1927, to March 31, 1928. As the accounts for the vessels involved for the quarter ending March 31, 1928, have not yet been received, this cost of commission for this quarter is estimated but is believed to be substantially accurate. These costs do not include the cost of repairs and equipage, which remain constant. The period May 4 to March 31 includes the time which these vessel were detailed for duty in connection with the expedition. The first column shows the actual cost of commission, while the second column shows the estimated cost of commission if the regular schedule has been carried out. The difference between these two columns repred sents the additional expense made necessary by the duty in NicaraguaA statement is also submitted showing certain additional expendi-. tures incurred by reason of the Nicaraguan expedition which are not shown directly in the expenses of ships. It will be noted that the additional expenditures for ships amount to $72,637 and that for unusual expenses amounts to $6,180.03, making a total of $78,817.03. The first item ($72,637) represents almost entirely the cost of the additional fuel expended. No deficit in the fuel appropriation has resulted, or will result, from this expenditure. The only deficiencies incurred were those enumerated under the Marine Corps statement. Cost of commission (exclusive of repairs and equipage) of vessels assigned to duty in connection with the expedition 'o 'he Republic of Nicaragua from May 4, 1927, to March 31, 1928 Estimated cost of commission if regular schedule had been car $74, 160 101, 203 170, 470 71, 945 79, 037 70, 572 74,569 45, 577 43, 014 80, 794 44, 263 44, 774 43, 555 74,453 3,090, 483 Statement of unusual expenditures incurred by and for the special-service squadron by reason of the expedition to the Republic of Nicaragua during the period from May 4, 1927, to December 31, 1927 Shipments of freight via commercial carriers from New York and Mare Island, Calif., to Nicaragua. Rental of buildings and land for landing forces.. Supplies: Ice, wood, electric current, etc., for landing forces. Hire of horses and bull carts and purchase of forage. American Naval and Marine Corps personnel killed and wounded in Nicaragua The total number of Nicaraguans known to have been killed is 202. There may have been additional deaths which could not be ascertained; wounded, for example, may have later died. Two women and one child were wounded accidentally by our forces during engagements due to their presence with armed outlaws firing on our men. BURNING AND DESTRUCTION OF NATIVE HOMES IN NICARAGUA The following instances of destruction of Nicaraguan buildings by our forces have been reported: Several houses were destroyed in the village of Quilali in order to prepare a landing field for airplanes so that 18 wounded marines S D-70-1-vol 25- -23 could be evacuated to a hospital. The medical officer reported that at least three would have died had this not been done. On El Chipote Mountain several buildings were burned in order to prevent their use by Sandino's forces. These were not "homes" in the ordinary sense of the word, as they had been built by the outlaws and were being used by them as barracks, storehouses, etc. The village of Ciudad Antigua was bombed as a military measure against outlaws who were known to be occupying it and using it as a base for raids against our trains. At the village of Cuje five houses were destroyed incidental to an engagement between marines and outlaws, the bandits occupying the houses. On October 24, 1927, in the vicinity of the Murra River Valley several houses were bombed, armed outlaws having been seen to take refuge in them. CURTIS D. WILBUR, O Secretary of the Navy. No. 87 CONSTRUCTION OF VESSELS BY LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD TRANSMITTING IN RESPONSE TO SENATE RESOLUTION No. 125, A REPORT RELATIVE TO THE PROPOSAL OF THE TRANSOCEANIC CORPORATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF FAST PASSENGER VESSELS APRIL 20 (calendar day, APRIL 24), 1928.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed, with illustrations UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON |