Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-09
NEWPORT NEWS. VA, THURSDAY, April ., 1908.

lied To have constructed two first
class batileships to cost exclusive oil
armor ana armament not exceeding
$6,0O0.000 each; ten torpedo boat de-
stroyers. to-havc the highest practical
bic speed and to cost eNclusive of mr.
mament not TO exceed 100000 each,
that the secretary of the navy be auth
orizcd to have constructed eight sub
marine torpedo boats, to cost In to
aggregate not more than $4,000 900
of which amount Sl.000.OlG Is appro-
priatod: and one subsurfacc torpedo
boat AT cost not TO exceed 500 600
and two small vessels of like type not
to exceed in cost S22. 500 each--a total
authorization of S239i5.00O. which will
be increased S7.0OO000 by the cost
of arming ana equipping the two bat
;loships.
Foreign Powers Programs.
Tho report shows that the naval
construction programs of the several
foreign powers contemplate the cx-
pendture of the following amour !
for vessels nj indicated. during tho
coming fiscal year;
lcngland-Threc battleships of tho
DreadnauGht type, one fast unarmorcd
cruiser, Ave ocean going destroycrs, ~
first class torpedo boats, IL submar-
lens: sS9,41S,G50.
Fraucc-Fivc dcstroycrs. ten sub-
ma rines: s1S.s9G,34G
Germany Two bnttleshlps. two
scout cruisers, IL dcstroycrs and sew
cral submarines; $30,575.SG0.
Japan-Si7, o65,763 for constructions
and repair, including the restoration
OF Russian warships taken I'd prizes.
Russia-sl5Oo0,oO0 for construction
and repairs.
Brazil-Threc battlcships, two scor,
cruisers. IS torpedo boats and de-
stroycrs.
The relative position of the several
powers in naval strength is shown u
he as follows: Ships built-Great
Britain. United States. Franco. Ger
many. Japan. Russia Italy. Austria.
Ships built aud building = Great
Britain, France. United States, Ger.
many, japan, Russia, Italy. Austria.
hobson's Minority Report.
Representative IIobson OF Alabama
submitted minority report recon-
mcnding that provision lie Wade in
tho bin for four first class bDttelshipa
Instead of two.
In his report Mr. Hobson says;
-Four battlcships are recommended by
the general board OF the navy. four
are recommended by the secretary of
The navy. four are recommended by
the President of the United States.
Though consideration of expedcncy
have led the committee to the recon-
incubation of two ut this session. In
reality four would, we believe. con-
form TO the conviction of the majority
OF the committee on naval affairs az
to the needs of The navy.
These needs have grown rapidly in
the last few years, due to the nations
growth and TO the development In
Asia. Our existing navy has been
built primarily for the needs of one
ocean. We now suddenly find need
in two oceans. The needs In the At
lantic have not diminished Una the
needs in the Pacific are fully as great.
To meet these double needs we have
only ships enough for one fleet. When
this fleet Is in the Atlantic We are
defenscless in the Pacific: when it is
in the Pacific we are defenseless in
the Atlantic. The completion OF the
Panama canal will not obviate the ne
cessity for two fleets, for we are liable
to have the demand for protection in
both oceans at the same time.
"Coincident with the doubling OF
The needs of our navy there has been
Il revolution in naval architecture,
bringing forth new type of armored
vessel OF 1900 tons and upward
IAN the other nations responded
quickly with programs of rapid con
struction. We have Jagged behind.
What Should be Done.
"'ro hold our present position OF
naval strength among the nations OF
Europe would require laying down not
less thar six OF these vessels this
year. TO hold our present position
among the nations of Asia would re
quire an equal number. Therefore IN
making the simultaneous demands
from Europe and Asia both, The mum
her of vessels recommended in This
minority report is an irreduciblc MN
imnm.
ut may be remarked That at this
(Contin;lcd IN Second papo\