Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-05-02
TO BUILD A
LARGER NAVY
Program for 1903, as Pre-
sented in Appropria-
ton Bill.
TWO MORE BIG BATTLESHlPS
The Bill Also Calls for Two First Glass
Cruisers and Two Gunb0ats- Cost Of
the Proposed Vessels Is Placed at Sac, ;
100000.

Washington, April 3O.--The naval
program for 1908. as presented in the
naval appropriation bill and accom-.
panying report, filed yesterday by
Chairman Foss, of the house naval
committee. Is one of unusual interest.
Inc report does not take as optimistic
view OF our naval prowess as Is gen.
orally held. and Mr.. Foss points out
That comparatively few of our ships
have any real fighting value. He ac-
companies this with statement of the
enormous naval armament and pro-
grams OF other countries, particularly
Germany.
1t is shown by the report that the
total number of vessels of our navy,
built and building, is 1873. and the to-
tai cost will be $3.50, 0S2.209 The re.
port adds: While we have built and
are building. all told, 1873 ships, vet
comparatively few of them have any
real fighting value. Our naval prowess
lies almost entirely in our IS battle
ships. eight armored cruisers and q
protected cruisers. The rest of our
ships would cut but little figure in &C.
tual war. Ships of the battle line prac.
tlcally alone determine the naval
strength of a nation"
Referring to the foreign naval pro-
gram, the report says: "Of all the
countries, Germany has been building
during the last few years faster than
any OF the others. Her ship building
program started in 1898, and will be
completed in 1908, possibly 1907 in
stead of 1916, as first planned This
program will give her in all SO battle
ships, IA. large cruisers, 80 smaller
cruisers and SO torpedo boats. After
the completion of this program. the
plan contemplates new constructions
to replace ships which. though still
serviceable, may have reached the pre-.
scribed age limit lr.
Concerning new ships for our navy.
the report says: The committee
recommended that for the purpose of
further increasing the naval establish
ment OF the United States, the presi-
dent have constructed two first class
Dattleshlps, carrying the heaviest ar
NOR and most powerful ordnance for
vessels OF their class, upon trial dis
placement of about 10000 tons, and to
nave the highest practicable speed and
great radius of action, and to cost, eX-
| elusive OF armOr and armament, not
exceeding $4,212,OO0 each; two first
class cruisers of about 1880 tons trial
displacement, to cost, exclusive of ar
NOR and armament, not exceeding
$4,659OOO each. and two gunboats of
about 1000 tons trial displacement
The complete cost of the two first
class battleships, two first class ar
mored cruisers and two gunboats. with
a total tonnage of $4,000 tons, will ap-
proximate $2950O,0OO. These battle
ships and cruisers will be larger than
any heretofore authorized by congress,
and the plans recommended by the
board of construction already have
excited the favorable comment of the
naval authorities abroad. The COM
mittee is of opinion that in recon-
mending the ABOVE naval program, it
is making substantial and healthy
increase of our navy, and one which
will meet everywhere with popular
favor"