Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-11
BATTLESH|PS
Naval Increase Urged by Sec
rotary MetcaIf.
HIS LAST ANNUAL REPORT
United States Now Second in Rela.
tive Warship Tonnage.
DISCUSSES CRUISE OF FLEET
Greater Friendship Created as a Re-
suit of the Visits Of the Vessels.
Two Vice Admirals Urged.
DISCUSSES CRUISE OF FLEET

as Secretary of the Navy was made pub.
lie today. The principal recommends
ton contained in it is that Congress at
its present session authorize the conStruc-
ton of four battleships. four scout cruis-
ers. ten deStroyers. four submarines. three
golfers, one repair ship. one ammunition
ship, two mine-laying shipS-these two
ships to be converted from cruisers now
on the navy list. He says that the bat
tleshipS should be of the heavy single
caliber, all big-gun type, and it is deemed
desirable that as soon as practicable
squadron of eight battlesnips of this type
should be completed He adds that all
should have the same tactical qualities
! speed and turning circles. The number
| of scout cruisers in the navy, he says,
should be one for each battleship.
1t is considered that there should be a
ratio of four deStroyerS for each battle
ship. The department therefore recon-
mends that at least ten deStroyerS be
authorized each year until that ratio
! shall have been reached.
Warship Tonnage Of Navies.
| The relative warshfp tonnage of the
principal naval powers at present is stated
as follows:
Great Britain. ....................1G 59, 0O1
| - ~
| France NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 62S, 500
Germany NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 54,57i
Japan Observation-Disclosures. 81 sol
| Russia ....................... 24O,943
Italy OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 90 ass
Austria Observation-Disclosures. 1890
When vessels noV under construction
| are completed France will stand second
in relative strength, with tonnage Of
s01, 1888, and the United States third with
tonnage of 11O,46S. But Great Britain
will exceed both France and the United
States, combined, with a tonnage Of
/ 1,S71.
The Round-the-Wo rld Cruise.
! Secretary Metcalf discusses, as the most
notable naval event Of the past year, the
voyage of the battleship fleet. which
has proven an epochmaking cruise
This cruise as yet hardly half over. he
! declares has given us an opportunity to
get better acquainted with the republics
| To the. south of us, with our own island
! possessions. with the new and vigorous
| branch of the British empire in Australia,
| and particularly with Japan; and has
| given to those countries better Oppor-
| tunty to get acquainted with us. 1t has
| been everywhere understood and accepted,
| as it was intended, as the reaching out
| of strong hand I'm friendly greeting on
| the part of the United States. and the
| cordial Inequalities extended to the fleet
| will be long remembered, and have power
| fully influenced feeling in this country.
Between the United States and every
| country visited, Mr.. Metcalf says, there
| is feeling of deeper interest and friend
ship than existed before the fleet sailed.
| Whatever may be said in technical
criticism of the navy" says Secretary
Metcalf. 1.-The American people. to whom
the ships belong and who paid for them.
| know, the result of this extended
cruise. at least. that the vessels will float;
/ hot hnif off han la
| them, and, SO far as actual tests in time
of peace can show, that the ships and the
men are fit in every particular for any
duty
Designs of Latest Warships.
I'm view says Mr.. Metcalf "of the
very exhaustive consideration which has
| been given to the designs of the North
Dakota and Delaware class from the time
| of their original approval in 1906. so far
as can be determined from definite in
| formation at the disposal of the depart
ment, ! feel no hesitancy in concurring
| in the view that the designs of the North
| Dakota and Delaware class are superior
| to those of any battleShip now in course
| of construction for any other navy"
| With respect to the assertion that our
! Pinch guns are inferior to those of other
! powers. the Secretary says, the facts are
| found to be that the actual muzzle en-
| main armament of our eight latest battle
| ships in commission, is somewhat greater
| than that of any gun afloat In any other
| navy.
Urges Two Vice Admirals.
| AS the officer in command of the Allan
tic fleet now in the far east holds the
| rank of rear admiral only. he is in posi-
tiOn of subOrdination to foreign naval Of
| ficers. This is true because foreign DOW
ers have, on important naval Stations.
| representatives of the rank of vice adj
miral. The Secretary urges that the navy.
without delay, be provided with two vice
| admiralS.
| Secretary Metcalf recommends that the
navy yards at New York. Philadelphia.
| Norfolk. Puget Sound and Mare Island
be developed to their full capacity for the
repair and maintenance of ships but says
| il is not further desirable to develop Their
| navy yards. at least until that at Guanta-
namo shall have been equipped the last
| named station being regarded as Of no