New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-02
MEYER SAYS We NEED
FORTY BATTLESH|PS
"AmeriCa, While Seeking Peace,
Should Show That She Is
Prepared for War"
EFFICIENT NAVY URGED
Needs of Fleet and Personnel Set
Forth in Annual Report-An
Adequate Reserve Force
Being Established.

. Washington. Doc. with plea that
there shall be no decrease I'm the effective
strength Of the navy, Secretary Meyer in
his annual report declares that while seek
ing peace and playing a leading part in
the movement for general arbitration
treaties. the world must understand that
America lis prepared for war.
The short life of a warship for first or
second line Of defcnce-spproXimat
twenty years-has caused tho Secretary TO
ask more ships this year not TO increase
the navy but TO maintain it at its exist
ing strength. This strength is being d.
minished by the elimination from active
service Of the battlsships FIRST constructed
for the new navy" The Secretary says
on this point
The policy of replacing our old battle
ships at the rate OF two each year, II con
tinucd indefinitely will give us eEehtudHH
though not as soon as is 10 be desired d
total Of forty batteShips, of which twenty
less than ten wears old would constitute
the FIRST line and the remaining twenty
between ten and twenty years Ola Nou'u
he available for the second line.
4 total of forty battleships with pro,
povtional mum Der Of other hShtlnS ana
auxiliary vessels. is the least that VIII
place our country on sale OASIS III ~
relations with other world powers. NIlil'
at least two other powers nave more am
bitious building plans. u Is believed that
II we maintain an efficient fleet OF lhe
size a hove mentioned We will be safe rom
attack and that our country WIZ ne III.
20 work out its destiny in peace ana WIFI
out hndrance. .
The recommendation for a continuing
policy which will give Ms the fleet desired
is made with a due regard Tor the SlIuoSV
world wide movement for inc setIitlhei.N
Of int M HlCnllfrg
which movement our own country mas
taken a foremost part History OF az
times including the present, SHOWS INC
ftility and danger Of trusting 10 the COZ
will and fair dealing, or even 10 'h' I.uNl
solemnlv binding treaties. between NATIONS
for the protection of q nation sovereign
rights and interests, and without bounl
The time is remote when CoinpsrduNt,ll
,tnarmed and helpless nation may ne
reasonably safe from attack by amh'nouS'
well armed powers, especially IN COM
,nercal age such ar the present
The economical system or great com,
,nercial nation Is 50 dclcateiN bdianceu
that even a threat of war Is very ols'utp-
ing and harmful. while a war with any
other great power would cause incalculabi"
damage To avoid war and insure peace
we should I've prepared for war -,.
Tho navy is very deficient IN certain
classes Of vessels required Tor the h1alu
1enance and protection Of the battle meet
These vessels arc battleship cruisers
scouts. destroyers. submarines repair sup
ply. fuel, ammunition and hospital SIil -
and tenders 10 torpedo NeSSelS. \ huilV't
of ellnboats river gunboatS ana Tugs a'So
are required for tho routine duties Of peace
Is wei as war The number OF Such YES
SELF except gunbCd'i ana tugs, sho"tu "'
proporioned 20 the number Of battiesnlpS 3
for example there should he four destroy
80 for e5ch hqttleslfp. one scout for each
hattleship. one repair ship for each squad
ron of eight hattlcSlupS, etc.