Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-06
WANTS NAVY READY
Should Be Prepared for Foe,
Says Secretary Meyer.
KEYNOTE OF HIS REPORT
Appeal for More Than Two Battle.
ships Each Year.
DOUBTS WARS WILL CEASE
Thinks More Money Should Be APP
propriated by Congress to De-
velop Naval Aviation.
KEYNOTE OF HIS REPORT
DOUBTS WARS WILL CEASE

Preparedness for the defense of the
United States against possible attack by
powerful foreign foe, Is the keynote OF
the argument made by Secretary Meyer
| in his annual report in favor of liberal
appropriations for the increase of the
| navy.
One fact appears prominently in the
report. That is that if Congress author
ICES only two battleships every year, the
United States soon will drop from second
to fourth place in the relative standing
| of naval powers.
Secretary Meyer declares that 1t is ar
error to suppose that the opening of the
Panama canal will double the American
fleet. He admits that it will increase the
efficiency of the fleet somewhat by facili-
| tating it's passage from one coast to the
other. But that condition has been fully
considered in calculating our naval pro-
gram by the experts, who found that with
an immense coast line, and with the
whole of South and Central America tc
separate the east from the west coast,
this country otherwise would need double
the fleet of country whose coast line is
continuous.
Secretary Meyer is very skeptical as to
the abolition of war in the near future,
and he declares that international efforts
toward peace have accomplished nothing
as to the Limitation of ornaments. Wars
come with little or no warning. and only
by the possession of an efficient fleet OF
adequate size will the country be safe
from attack. and free to work out its
own destiny in peace and without him
drance.
Little Faith in Treaties.
History of all times. including the pres
ent," says the Secretary, Shows the fulfill
ity and danger of trusting to the good will
and fair dealing, and even to the most
solemnly binding treaties between ma
tions, for the protection of a nations
sovereign rights and interests, and with
out doubt the time is remote when
comparatively unarmed and helpless
nation may be reasonably free from at
tack by ambitious, well armed powers,
especially in a commercial age such as
the present. The economical system of
a great commercial nation is so delicate
ly balanced that even threat or war is
very disturbing and harmful. while a
war with any other great power would
cause incalculable damage. To avoid
war and insure peace the country must
be prepared for war"
Therefore, the Secretary reaches the
conclusion that total of forty-one bat
tleships, with a proportionate number OF
other fighting and auxiliary vessels, Is
the least that would place this country
on a safe basis. in its relations with
other world powers. That number, he
holds, should be reached as soon as prac-
ticable, and then the fleet should be kept
up to its standard strength by replacing
obsolete vessels with new ones by uni
form annual program. The department
Is of the opinion that until more OF the
old battleships are replaced, 1t Is wiser
to provide for battleships than to sacri-
hot OF fOrD0O0 DOdIS
and other vessels of less military value.
Backs Boards Recommendation.
The Secretary strongly supports the
general boards recommendations for the
authorization, in addition to the battle
ships, of two battle cruisers, sixteen de-
stroyers, six submarines. two gunboats
and auxiliaries, such as transports. sup
ply ships tugs, tenders and dry dock
With the existing fleet as a whole the
Secretary finds no reason for criticism.
and he speaks with pride Of its readiness
to respond to instant call. even reserve
ships being kept in condition for active
service at short notice. In gunnery 1t
has maintained it's high standard. and
with the improvement in that branch has
come a marked improvement in prepared
ness for battle. Progress has been made
In the engineering departments and dur
ing the past year. says the Secretary,
the performance of the vessels has been
highly creditable, both as regards speed
and economy.
The utter inadequacy of the provision
made for the equipment of the navy with
aeroplanes is strikingly set out in table
showing that whereas last year the
United States spent only $4,000 for that
purpose. five European nations expended
anywhere from $2.OOO,OOO to $1,000 600
each. That leads the Secretary to one
of his few recommendations, namely that
Congress remove the present limitations
upon the progressive development of ma
val aviation.
Eight-Hour Law.