The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-07

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-Secretary of
the Navy Charles A Bonaparte ex-
presses the view in his annual report
10 Congress that the safety Of America
against invasion rests in the increase
OF ships designed for the first line of
battle. A moderate increase liz the
effective lighting strength Of the navy
would prove the part Of patriotic fore
sight, he says. The Secretary expresses
his views as follows:
Ia my last annual report I stated that the
aggregate Of our battle ships, armored cruisers
ana coast defense vessels built building, OF
authorized would seem, according 10 present
indications, SUFFICIENT 90 provide Tor any eoatin-
eeneies within the limits Of probsbiity." When
mis- statement was made the facts seemed To
sustify assumption at least tentatively. that
Ihe foreign naFies with which IL IS material 20
~ up6re our own had. in general. reached the
ftlits OF extension Immediately contemp plated.
ana there appeared TO some persops a fair
prospect that some reduction Of naval araTlellts
or az al events some limitstiOn 20 their in
definite increase might result from the con
templsted Hague conference.
Without sharing the last mentioned expee-
tation, i yet deemed that / could then safely
speak As did but, without going into detailed
objectionable il is my duty now 10 report to
you and 10 Congress that in my judgment cir
provision for moderate increase in the efec-
tive fighting strength OF navy the part OF
patriotic foresight at present. / recommend.
Ileretore' taat as s9on as may De praetlcable
81 this session. the Congress authorize the con
tfructlon or q sister snip 10 the one already
authorized and II which the plans are now sub
mitted, 80 that by simply duplicating these
plans and the further detailed specifications
and drawings BY which they To Doe supple
Inenred- we can have two vessels Of Jhis class
completed within the time which would other
wise De needed FOR the construction OF only one.
ADDITIONAL SHIPS ASKED
IL was my opinion, expressed in my last
annual report. that the authorization 81 TWO
16,O00-ton bartleships ~ the type OF the south
Carolina and Michigan. which. 81 authorized. could
have been completed simultaneously with the last
mentioned vessel thus providing us at once a
squadron u four homogeneous ships would have
been the most appropriate form in which 10
provide for the maintenance OF the strength OF
cur navy 81 the last session. For the same
reoson now think III highly advisable that q
cousort 70 The single vessel authorized sub
eriture for the two recommended be authorized
Or this session. and. II possible. early in the
session. that may have greater benefit
from The increased speed Of these larger ships,
an advantage In greet part nullided when the
swifter vessel IS the only one Of her class in a
feet The additional vessels which / think
should he authorized at this session are Indicated
later in this report
The views Of the general board and the board
~ construction with regard 10 new vessels 70 be
recommended Tor authorization at the present
session Of Congress are in substantial harmony.
Deeming IT my duty 20 give Congress the benefit
az the views " both boards in detsn, and fol-
l0ging the precedent established last year,
n e