Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-06
NAVY SECRETARY
FOR MORE SHIPS
Warns of Danger of Nation
Falling From Second to
Fourth Position.

Washington, Dec. 6-The United
States must have a bigger navy and
must be prepared 70 meet any chance
OF war in the opinion Of Secretary
Meyer OF the navy department If it ia
go 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 place in the relative stand
ing OF naval powers, il IL continues
the policy Of building only two ships
each year.
International peace has been
brought no nearer, the secretary de-
clares, 90 far as limitation Of arma-
ments Is concerned. To guard its
coast and protect its commercial activ-
tiles, the United States needs a per-
manent navy OF Al capital ships-bat-
tleships and battle cruisers-accord-
ing to Secretary Meyer. The present
strength Of the navy in battleships is
about thirty-three, but four ships will
soon be retired as obsolete.
Secretary Meyers report is a recit-
al of the developmnt of the navy dur
ing the year, with few recommends
tions beyond those contained in his
former reports. He gives chief en-
phasis to his recommendation that the
navy be increased according to a pro-
gram that will keep the nation in its
present position among the world pow
ers; and the suggestion that congress
remove the limit upon the amount of
money that can be spent for aviation
and permit the navy TO compete with
the like establishments of other ma
tons in developing aerial methods of
defense.
For the coming year the secretary
OF the navy urges that congress ap.
propriate money for three battleships
OF the dreadnaught class and for two
battle cruisers, sixteen destroyers, six
submarines, two gunboats, and a feet
OF auxiliaries TO include transports
supply ships, tugs, tenders and a dry
dock. The navy general board rec
ommends four battleshipS and Sec
rotary Meyer points out that even
though this number should be author
lied 1t would mean no real increase in
the navy as four ships are soon to be
retired because they will have passed
the age OF 20 years.
Secretary Meyer expresses skepti
cism as TO the abolition of war in the
near future. Wars come with little OF
no warning he says, and only by the
possession of an efficient fleet of ade
quate size will the country be safe
from attack to work out it's own des
tiny in peace and without hindrance
The history of all times, includinl
the present shows the futility and dan
ger of trusting to the good will ant
fair dealings, and even to the mos
soiemnly binding treaties between ma
tons for the protection of a nation.
sovereign rights ana interests" h
says, "and without doubt the time il
remote when a comparatively unarm
ed and helpless nation may be reason
ably free from attack by ambitious
Well-armed powers, especially in
commercial age, such as the present
The economical system of a grea
commercial nation is so delicately bal
Rnced that even a threat of war is YER
disturbing and harmful while a wa
with any other great power woul
cause incalculable damage
ITO avoid war and insure peac