Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-12
FOR THREE
NEW BATTLESH|PS
Secretary Of Navy Declares Inter.
national Peace No Nearer
Now Than Ever.


public to-day. Secretary Meyer pleads for |
tree new battleships this year, and de- |
clares that this country soon will fall |
from second to fourth place in the rela-
tive standing Of naval powers, II 1t con-
times the policy Of building only two |
ships each year.
international peace has been brought |
no nearer, the secretary declares. so far
az a Limitation of ornaments IL con-
cerned. To guard it's coast and protect It's
commercial activities. the United States !
needs a permanent navy Of Il capital
ships. battleships and battle cruisers. ac-
cording to Secretary Meyer. The present
strength Of the navy in battleships Is
about 80. but four ships will soon be re-
tired as obsolete.
Secretary Meyers report is a recital OF
the development of the navy during the
year, with few recommendations beyond
those contained in his former reports. He
gives chief emphasis to his recommends
ton 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
permit the navy to complete with the like
establishments OF other nations in devel-
oping aerial methods of defense
For the coming year the secretary Of
the navy urges that Congress appropriate
money for three battlcships Of the dread
nought class and for two battle cruisers.
IL destroyers. six submarines two gun
boats, and a fleet OF auxiliaries to include
transports. supply ships. tugs. tenders
and a dry dock. The navy general board
recommends four battleships. and Secre-
tary Meyer points out that even though
this number should he authorized 1t
would mean no real increase in the navy
as four ships soon to be retired be-
cause they will have passed he age of %
years.
WAR POSSIBLE ANY TIME
Secretary Never expresses skeptcsm
as to the abolition of war in the near
future. Wars come with little or no
warning, he says, and only by the pos
session of an efficient fleet OF adequate
size will the country he safe from at
J tack and free to work out its own des-
| tiny in peace and without hindrancc
THE history of all times. including the
present. shows the tut,lity and danger
ing, and even to the most solemnly bind
ing treaties between nations for the pro-
tccticn OF a nations sovereign rights and
| interests" he says. and without doubt
! the time IS remote when comparative
| ~ unarred and helpless nation may be
| reasonably free from attack by ambi-
tious wel-armed powers. especially in
| commercial age. such as the present The
| economical system of A great commercial
nation Is SO dclicately balanced that even
a threat Of 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 No
person Of intelligence who has studied IN
ternational policies can he blind to the
fact that the possession of great wealth,
resources and population, does not carry
with it immunity from attack should the
nations interests clash with those Of an
other better prepared
The opening Of the Panama canal will
in no sense double the American fleet.
according to Secretary Meyer. While it
will increase IT. efficiency by facilitating
its passage from one coast to the other,
this condition has been fully considered
in calculating the naval program. With
out the canal says Secretary Meyer, .cX-
perts figure that the United States would
need a fleet double that of a country
whose coast line Is continuous.
NEED AT LEAST Al SHIPS
The secretary estimates that a total OF
| Al battleships. with proportional number
| A., Ito tS
the least that would place this country or
> a safe basis in it's relations with other
, world powers This fleet should be sc.
cured as soon as practicable. he said, anc
its strength should he maintained ny re-
pla cling obsolete vessels with new ones
, by uniform annual program While
the navy department would welcome
more torpedo boats and submarines. thu
secretary expresses the belief that unit
, more of the old battleships are replaced
II Is wiser to build battleships than small
, err vessels
- AS to the need of battle cruisers. tn
sw1fter ships OF the first line Of defense
, Secretary Meyer quotes the naval gen
| eral board:
- "'rhe United States has no vessels o
this type. They have military valu
not possible to obtain from other ;ype
in combinations OF types. To further neg
lect their necessity Is to deliberatel.
weaken our naval strength. The par
/. amount need of the navy IL. however. 70
battleshipa, and the hoard does not rec
:, ommcnd any modification OF the buildin
W | program by which preference In building
is given to battle cruisers or other flee
:, units, and auXiliaries, which will inter
y fere with the ultimate battleshi
strength
=. Battle practice has brought the existin
"a fleet to state OF complete READINGS
for instant service says Secretary Meye
~ In commenting on the navys condition
Reserve as we'll as active vessels ar
a | kept in condition for any contingency
a. and the navy's gunners have during tn
N year made records that more than suf
\, tain the high standards of the servic,
h. AEROPLANE SERVICE INADEQUATE
I'd Aeroplane equipment is entirely mad,
10 quate at the present time. according I
m Secretary Meyer. He points out that Will
the United States spent only $4,000 fC
this purpose last year. Japan spent $500
200 and five European nations spent II
N dividual sums ranging from & ooO,oD ,
SO. 00o.0D. the latter being the expendltur
B. OF France. Secretary Meyer says thel
Do should be no limitation upon the PR
~ gressive development of naval avtatio,
N He recommends the creation OF a nav,
reserve Of about ep,cOo men. and 5000
-, be secured from the honorahly di