The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-03-04
big Battle ShfDx

In building leviathan armOred ships
the United States has taken the lead
In size, though England keeps ahead
In number. This country has author
lied the construction OF four battle
ships that far exceed the Dreadnought
in tonnage and armament, and the pres
ent Congress is likely to provide for
two more that will be still larger by
far. \ few days ago the Delaware
was launched at Newport News the
most formidable warship that has yet
been started. Her displacement is
1900 tons. The largest battle ship
now in commission is the British
DreadnOught. of 1900 tons. Ger
many's largest battle ship is 1920
tons, but that government Is building
nine, of which five will be of 10000
tons. Frances heaviest ship Is 14,SG5
tons. with eight building. the largest of
1890 tons. Japan's largest completed
ship is 16,400 tons. with two building
of 1920 and 1880 tons. The United
States has in hand six battle ships four
Of which will be the heaviest afioat,
two, the Florida and Utah, OF p $50
tons each. Congress is celebrating on
two of 10000 tons each, the Naval Com
plittee having reported upon them IA
vorably. The Delaware, just launched,
is to be 2,1OO tons larger tnan the
Dreadnought. and $50 tons greater than
Great Britain's latest vessel. the Van
guard.
Thus goes forward the mos remark
able of all forms of international RI
valry and preparation, constituting Il
duel in finance as well as constructive
ability. Capt. Mahan, an American
recognized abroad as high naval au'
thority, supports the leviathan idea.
The line of reasoning" he says,
(which applies to the $4,000 or 10000
ton ship will hold good when You have
reached 10000 and your neighbor gees
enc better by laying down one OF
$1,000 The skill of the naval architect
:n,l engineer is equal TO producing 1t.
and the Open sea at least will be ahe
10 float it." IN truth, the question is
Chiefly one of money Provide The NIL.
hens and the designers and saipy&r'is
will do the rest. One of The largest
ocean liners has just cut the eastward
run across the Atlantic to a little over
four days. twenty hours. But two pas
senger ships are going forward that
are to be 200 feet longer, and can be
made faster il the achievement Is
thought TO be worth the extra cost in
machinery, coal and working force.
The Delaware's broadside Will be the
heaviest on the seas. consisting OF ten
12-inch guns and fourteen 5-inch rapid
fire guns, with the secondary battery
In addition. No such blow can be de-
livered by the Dreadnought or any
other existing ship.
Last year Mr. Asquith. the British
premier, announced that the policy
would continue to be the maintenance
of the navy at the strength of any
other two nations combined. plus 10
per cent That is certainly an i'm
posing proposition in view of the naval
activity and inventiveness of the United
II
States and Germany. Six new ships
of the Dreadnought pattern. but larger,
will be proposed in Parliament this
year They will swell the British
budget, which now includes the pay
ment Of old-age pensions. England also
must look about for more revenue.
This year a naval appropriation OF
| S136, 100000 is asked in the United
States. Our treasury calls for fresh
| taxation in some form. Skimping the
navy would be doubtful economy. Our
position on the two greatest oceans
| forbids halt in building battle ships
of the most modern type We have
under way the largest extant which is
gratifying fact.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat.