The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-12-02
EVER REaD
FOB !. Battle
MUST WE BE
Says Secretary Of the Navy,
Though We Are Seeking
WoEld Peace.
HoNoRoF TIE WORLD
Is All Very Good But 1t is
Not Always to Be
Trusted.
HoNoROF IEIE WORLD

WAsFIINGroN. Dec. with a
plea that there shall be no decrease
in the efeetlve strength OF the Uni
ted States navy, George Won L
Meyer. secretary of the navy, in his
annual report to Congress, declares
that while seeking peace and play
ing leading part in the movement
for general arbitration treaties the
world must understand that America
'is prepared for war"
The short life OF warship for
first or second line OF defense-ap-
proximateIy twenty years-haS
caused the secretary to ask more
ships this year. not TO increase the
navy, but to maintain st at its exist
ing strength This strength, he says.
Is being diminished by the elimina-
ton from active service OF the battle
ships first constructed for the new
navy
The recommendation" he says
FOR a continuing naval policy which
will give US the feet desired is made
with a due regard for the almost
worldwide movement for the settle
ment of International disputes by
arbitration, in which movement our
country has taken a foEmost part.
History or all. Kinds, Including the
present, shows the futility and danger
OF trusting to the good will and fair
dealing. or even to the most solemn
" binding treaties between nations
for the protection OF nations SOW
ereign rights and interests, and with
out doubt, the time is remote when
a comparatively unarmed and help
less nation may be reasonably safe
from attack byfambitious. we'll armed
mowers. especially in a commercial
age such as the present. The
economical system of great COM
merciaI nation is SO deltcately bal
anced that even threat Of war Is
very disturbing and harmful while a
war with any other great power
! would cause incalculable damage
and 1t is moro necessary now than
ever before that we should be fully
prepared and that every other power
should understand that. while seek
ing peace, we are prepared for war.
! The United States, Secretary Meyer
says, is far IN the rear OF the lead
! ing naval powers in projected naval
construction. even on the basis OF
| two new battleships a year.
! Mr.. Meyer submits estimates for
I two battleships and two golfers anly'
This is in line with the policy OF
several years standing of building two
! battleships a year. In addition to this,
the secretary indicates that the navy
would welcome one of the new type
OF battleship cruisers, such as Great
Britain, Germany and japan are
building. He further points out that
there is a great deficiency in tho
number of cruisers, scouts, destroy
ers, submarines and auxiltaries Tor
tho maintenance and protection OF
the battle feet,
| He suggests that all Of these aux
iliaries need not be ordered at once
but that the appropriation could be
I stretched over number OF years.
Disturbance in Asia and Central
America, necessltating the protection
of interests of this country. alsr ave
| shown the need for more liz Lratt
guuboats for river use.
The secretary declares that ships
twenty years old are obsolete and
worthless even for the second line or
reserve. His list shows the famous
old Oregon and her sister battleships
Indiana and Massachusetts, az having
reached the fatal period and should
be replaced Immediately, as we'll as
the Iowa. In fact Secretary Meyer
names twelve battIeships that can
no longer be regarded as available
for the first line OF battle and which
should be replaced by 1920 Aside
from those already indicated they
arc the Kearsarge. kentucky, Ala
bama, Illinois, wisconsin Maine.
Ohio and Mlssouti. The youngest %
these has turned eleven Years.