The daily sentinel., 1912-12-06
America Far Behind Europe in
Preparedness for War Is
Said; More AirshipS.
UNIVERSAL PEACE NOT YET DUE
Associated Press.

Washington, d. C., Dec. G.-The
United States must have bigger
navy, and must be prepared to meet
any chance of war, in the opinion
of Secretary Meyer Of the navy de-
partment, If II is to preserve its ma
uonal 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
place in the relative standing of ma
val powers, IL it continues the policy
of building only two ships each year.
international peace has been
brought no nearer, the secretary de-
clares, so far as a limitation of arma-
ments is concerned. To guard its
coast and protect its commercial ac-
tiyities. the United States needs a
permanent navy of ~ capital ships
-battleships and battle cTuisers-ac-
cording to Secretary Meyer. The
present strength of the navy in bat
tleships Is about 33, but 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 recommen-
dations beyond those contained in his
former reports. He gives chief en-
phasis to his recommendation that
the navy be increased according to
program that will keep the nation
in its present position among the
world powers; and the suggestion
that congress remove the limit upon
the amount of money that can be
spent for aviation and premit the ma
Wy to compete with the like estab-
: lish1Rnts oil other netl5ns III deYul
oping aerial methods of defense
For the coming year the secretary
OF the navy urges that congress ap-
PROBATE money for three battleships
OF the dreadnaught class and for two
battle cruisers, sixteen destroyers,
six submarines, two gunboats. and n
fleet of auXiliaries to include trans
ports, supply ships, tugs, tenders and
dry lock. The navy general board
recommends four battleships. and
Secretary Meyer points out that even
though this number should be au-
thorized it would mean no real in
crease in the navy as four ships are
soon to be retired because they will
have passed the age of twenty years.
Secretary Meyer expresses skepti-
cism as to the abolition of war in the
near future. Wars come with little
or no warning, he says, 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 hinderance.
The history of all times, inClud-
ing the present shows the futility
and danger of trusting to the good
Will and fair dealing, and even 10 the
most solemnly binding treaties be-
tween nations for the protection of a
nations sovereign rights and inter
ests,' 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 a commercial age. such as
the present. The economical sys-
TEN of a great comemrcial nation is
so deliCately balanced that even a
threat OF war is very disturbing and
harmful, while a war with any other
great power would cause iucalculable
damage.
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 possession
of great wealth. resources and pop
ulation, does not carry with it immu-
nlty 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 it will increase its efficiency
by facilitating its passage from one
coast to another. this condition has
been fully considered in calculating
the naval program. Without the
canal, says Secretary Never, expert
Figures that the United States would
need fleet double that of country
whose coast line is continuous
Aeroplane equipment is entirely in
adequate at the present time, accord
ing to Secretary Meyer. He points
out that while the United States
spent only $4,000 for this purpose
last year. Japan spent 100000 and
five European nations spent individ-
ual sums, ranging from 100000
to S6,000,000. the latter being the
expenditure of France. Secretary
Meyer says there should be no limi-
tation upon the progressive develop
ment of naval aviation