The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-12-06
UNCLE sam
MUST HAVE
MORE SHIPS
This Is Contention Of Secretary
al. Meyer
Annual Report Given to Con-
greSs Yesterday
Report Is Recital Of Develop
nent Of Navy

washington, Dec. 6.-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 department, l. 1t
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 place in the relative
standing of naval powers. If IL con-
tinues the policy Of building only two
ships each year.
International peace has been
brought no nearer, the secretary de-
clares, SO far as limitation of arm
aments is concerned. TO guard its
coast and protect it's commercial ac-
tivities, the United States needs a per-
manent navy of forty-one capital ships
--battleships and battle cruisers-ac-
cording to Secretary Meyer. The pres
! ent strength of the navy in battle
ships is about thirty-three, but four
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 recommend
ations beyond those contained in his
former reports He gives chief en-
phasis to his recommendation that the
navy be increased according to pro-
gramme that will keep the nation in
It's present position among the world
powers; and the suggestion that con-
gress 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 nations in developing aerial
methods of defense.
For the coming year the secretary
Of the navy urges that congress ap-
,.fn 70 aaxF for. fxxr "a NJ
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 dry
dock The navy general board recon-
mends four battleships; and Secretary
Meyers points out that even thoughthis
number should be authorized 1t would
mean no real increase In the navy as
four ships are soon to be retired be-
cause 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 conutry be safe
from attack and free to work out its
own destiny in peace and without
hindrance.
The history Uf ali times, including
the present, shows the futility and
danger Of trusting 70 the good will
and fair dealing. and even To the most
solemnly binding treaties between ma
tions, for the protection of nntion$
sovereign rights and interests, he
says, and without doubt the time il
remote when comparatively unarIn-
ed and helpless nation may be reas-
onably free from attack by ambitious
well armed powers, especially in a
commercial age. such as the present
d The economical system of a great
commercial nation Is so delicately bal
anced that even a threat of war Ii
very disturbing and harmful. while 9
war with any other great power WoulG
cause incalculable damage.
ITO avoid war and insure peace the
country must be prepared for war. Nc
person of intelligence, who has studi.
ed International policies can be blinc
to the fact that the possession of great
wealth, resources and population
does not carry with it immunity from
attack should the nations interests
Continued on Page Two.