Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-12-06
NAVY SECRETARY
FOR MORE SHIPS
PLEADS FOR THREE NEW
BATTLESHIPS IN AN.
NUAL REPORT.
RECITAL OF DEVELOPMENT
DECLARES LIMITATION OF ARM
AMENTS HAS BROUGHT IN
TEIiNATIONAL PEACE
NO NEARER
by Associated Press

Z Washington, ID. G., Dec. 5.-The
United States must have a bigger
navy and must be prepared to meet
any chance OF war In the opinion OF
Secretary Meyer OF the Navy Depart
tnent. II II Is to preserve its national
safety. In his annual report. made
public today, Secretary Meyer pleads
for three new battleships this year.
and declares that this country soon
will fall from second to fourth plAte
In the relative standing OF naval
powers, II II continues the policy of
building only two ships each year.
International peace has been
brought no nearer, the secretary do
clares, 80 far as a limitation of ar
maments is concerned. To guard its
coast and protect Its commercial ac-
tivitles, the United States needs a
permanent navy OF Al capital ships
battleships and battle cruisers-ac-
cording to Secretary Meyer. The pres
ent strength Of the navy In battle
ships is about 33. but 4 ships will
soon be retired as obsolete.
Secretary Meyers report is a re
cital of the development OF the navy
during the year, with few recon-
mendations beyond those contained
IN his former reports. lie gives chief
emphasis to his recommendation thar
the navy be increased according IN
a program that will keep the ma
uon IN It's present position among
me world powers: and the sugges-
uon that congress remove the limit
upon the amount OF money that can
" spent for aviation and permit the
wy TO compete with the like estab-
iphments of. other nations dev.i--
oilns aerial methods OF defense.
For the coming year the secretary
OF the navy urges that congress APP
propriate money for three battle
ships of the Dreadnaught class and
Tor two battle cruisers, sixteen de-
stroyers. six submarines. two gun
boats. and n fleet OF auXiliaries TO
include transports, supply ships, tugs
tenders and a dry-dock. The navy
general board recommends fonr
battleships, and Secretary Meyer
points out that even though this
number should be authorized Il
would mean no real increase In the
navy as four ships are soon to bs
retired because they will have passed
ne age OF twenty years.
secretary Meyers expresses skep-
ucism az to the abolition OF war In
the near future. Wars come with lit
tie or no warning he says. and only
by the possession OF an efficient fleet
Of adequate size will the country be
sdfe from attack and free to work
out its own destiny in peace and
without hindrance.
The history OF all times. includ
ing the present, shows the futility
and danger OF trusting to the good
VIII and fair dealing. and even to
the most solemnly binding treaties
between nations for the protection OF
a nations sovereign rights and In
terests," he says, and without doubt
the time Is remote when a compara-
lively unarmed and helpless nation
may be reasonably free from attack
by ambitious, well-armed powers, es-
pecially In commercial age. such as
the present. The economical system
oi great commercial nation is 80
delicately balanced that even a threat
OF war is very disturbing and harm
ful while war with any other great
power would cause incalculable dam
age.
TO Avoid war and insure peace
the country must be prepared for
war. No person OF intelligence who
has studied international policies can
be blind TO the fact that the posses
SION OF great wealth. resources and
population, does not carry with (
immunity from attack should the
nations interests clash with those OF
another better prepared"
The opening OF the Panama Canal
will In no SENSE double the American
fleet, according to Secretary Meyer.
While Il will increase It's efficiency
by facilitating is passage from one
coast to the other. this condition has
been fully considered in calculating
the naval program. Without the
canal, says Secretary Never, experts
figure that the United states would
reed fleet double that OF a country
whose coast line Is continuous.
The secretary estimates that a to-
tai OF ~ battleships. with n proper
tional number OF other fighting and