New-York tribune., 1910-02-27
MEYER WANTS "a, ,OOD
TON BATTLESHIPS
PLANS THO GIANTS
FOR NEIT YEN.
Ten Submarines for Pacific
Coast also Proposed
Bigger Drgdocks.
rrrom The Tribune Burasv-I ]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. Secretary Me- ct
told the House Committee on Naval At
fairs to-day that he wants it's co-opera-
ton in making the United States navy
first among those Of the great powers IN
point of efficiency- of advanced arrna-
ment and of equipment. if not IN size
Mr.. Meyer had spent several hours
giving the reasons for his naval pro-
gramme. which has been outlined in The
Tribune lie then told the committee
that ne would like TO discuss some mat
ters of a confidential nature. and the
clerks and steuOgraphers we're asked TO
leave the room
1t is understood that he expressed the
opinion that next year he viii PROBABLY
advocate the building Of two 34,ooo-ton
battIeships equipped with 14-1nch guns.
which would be more powerful than any
vessels now afloat-
1t was suggested al the meeting that
reports have reached the naval author
tiles that japan contemplates building
TWO 32OO0-ton ships in the near future.
and that these alone would approach
those under contemplation By Secretary
Meyer in point of power.
II is understood that Secretary Meyer
has already in preparation the plans for
these hghting machines
He also told the committee that he be-
ijeved II would be wise policy 70 in
cIude in next years appropriation bill a
provision for ten submarines TO be placed
on the Pacific Coast
49,. III -
as follows:
Two battIeships Of 1900 tons. te cost
about 81 ,0O0. 900 each
One repair ship. to cost about $500
coo.
Two golfers to cost about 100000
each.
Five submarines, TO cost between $50
Ooo and 100000
The new battIeshlps viii be the largest
in the American navy, as those of the
Wyoming class the most powerful az
present are 26.600 tons. The new ships
authorized by the Argentine Republic
alone viii be larger. They win be 2S,ofo
tons The repair ship is 70 be fast
enough TO keep up with the syiftest
cruisers in the navy. The subr1arinez
are TO be built from the surplus fund of
the navy which has been covered back
into the Treasury.
There is little doubt that the commit
tee viii agree to Secretary Meyers pro-
gra nrle There will undoubtedly be a
fight against the two battleships on the
floor, but a membe~ of the COMMITTEES
who has studied the situation carefully
predicts that the House will finally agree.
The giant battleship which Secretary
Never wants the United States TO build
waits until next year only because the
naval experiments with finch guns have
not been completed and the department
desires To know the result Of full expert
ments before planning for the armament
of the big Dreadnousht-
The Secretary said his plans for the
enlargement of all The drydocks of the
country, as outlined to the committee
some weeks ago. we're made in contem-
pIation of the great enlargement of the
battleships and he wanted the docks
built to accommodate ships of great size
The committee has already indorsed the
Secretary's plan for dock enlargement,
and the naval appropriation bill is eS-
peCleO 10 carry SSNttdI HlltllIH UpllH1S
for that purpose
The submarines for the Pacinc Coast
are TO be the first OF fast fleet of those
vessels which viii be provided within
the next few years. The plan 10 place
ten additional submarines on the Pacific
Coast next year was favorably con-
sidered. The Pacific Coast Congressional
delegation. which told the committee
some weeks ago of the practically de-
fenceless condition of the Western coast
against foreign nlen-of-war, appealed
strongly to the members. and the SUD
marine fleet has been decided on These
submarines will be the fastest yet
launched, and will be cap bic of making
q speed under water of tweve knots an
hour Recently this government has ac-
quired better knowledge than other na-
tions possess. it is said. in steering these
submarines while they are being driven
az high speed.
a member of the committee said that
this government was in possession Of
unofficial informa tion 10 the effect that
Japan was already laying the keels of
two battleships approaching the &2,0eo-
ton limit He added that the tonnage of
the great battleships under considera-
ton BY the United States would depend
to a great extent on the weight OF the
batteries Of the huge 14-ineh guns which
would be placed on these ships.