New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-06
BIGGER NAVY NEEDED,
MEYER TELLS CONGRESS
Forty.one BattIeships Minimum
Standard of Safety, De-
CIares the Secretary.
is SKEPTICAL OF PEACE
Danger in Trusting Even to
the Most Solemnly Bind.
ing Treaties-Aeroplane
Equipment Too Small.

Washington, Dec. 6.-The United States
must have a bigger navy and must be
prepared to meet any chance Of war. says
Secretary Meyer Of the Navy Depart
] ment. II It Is to preserve its national
safety. In his annual report made public
to-day. Secretary Meyer pleads for three
new battleships this year. and declares
that this country soon will fall from
| second to fourth place lin the relative
| standing Of naval powers II II continues
| the policy of building only two ships
each year.
no nearer. the Secretary declares, so far
as a limitation of ornaments is con-
cerned. To guard It's coasts and protect
It's commercial activities the United
States needs a permanent navy Of forty
| one capital ships-battleships and battle
cruisers-according to Secretary Meyer.
The present strength Of the navy in bat
tleships is about thirty-three, but -four
ships will soon be retired 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
mendation that the navy be increased ac-
cording to a programme 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 he spent for
aviation and permit the navy to compete
with the like establishments Of other ma
lions In developing aerial methods OF de-
fence.
Three Dreadnouehts Urged.
For the coming year the Secretary Of
the Navy urges that Congress appropriate
money for three battleships Of the Dread
nought class and for two battle cruisers.
sixteen destroyers. Fix submarines. two
gunboats and a fleet Of auxiliaries. to in
! clude transports. supply ships. tugs. ten
ders and a drydock. The Navy General
Board recommends four battleships. and
Secretary Meyer points out that even
though this number should be authorized
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
twenty years.
Secretary Meyer expresses skepticism
as 10 the abolition OF war in the near
future Wars come with little or no warn
ing. he saws and only by the possession
OF an efficient feet OF adequate size Will
the country be safe from attack and free
10 work out It's own destiny In peace and
without hindrance. The Secretary adds;
Tho history Of all times, including the
present. shows the futility and danger. OF
trusting to the good Will and fair dealing
Of. and even to the most solemnly oinu.ns
treaties between. nations for the protec-
ton OF a nations sovereign rights ana
interests and without doubt the time Is
remote when a comparatively unarmed
and helpless nation may be reasonably
free from attack by ambitious. well armed
powers. especially in a commercial age.
such as the present The economical sys-
tenn OF a great commercial nation lis so
delicately balanced that even threat OF
war is very disturbing and harmful
while war with any other great power
would cause incalculable damage.
To avoid war and insure peace the
country must be prepared Tor war. no
person OF intelligence who has studied
international policies can be blind to the
fact that the possession OF great wealth.
resources and population does not carry
with Il immunity from attack should the
nations interests clash with those OF
another better prepared.
Canal Will Not Double Fleet.
The opening OF the Panama Canal will
in no sense double the American fleet, &C
cordins to Secretary Meyer. While II will
Increase It's efficiency by facilitating Its
passage from one coast TO another, this
condition has been fully considered In
calculating the naval programme. With
out the canal, says Secretary Meyer.
experts figure that the United States
would need fleet double that Of a coun-
try whose coastline IL continuous.
The Secretary estimates that a total OF
forty-one battleships, with a proportional
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. This feet
should be secured as soon as practicable.
he said and It's strength should be main
tanned by replacing obsolete vessels with
new ones by uniform annual pro-
gramme. While the Navy Department
would welcome more torpedo boats and
submarines. the Secretary expresses the
belief that until more OF the old battle
ships are replaced It is wiser to build bat
tleships than smaller vessels.
As to the need Of battle cruisers. the
swIfter ships Of the first line Of defence.
Secretary Meyer quotes the Naval Gen.
eral Board:
The United States has no vessels of this
type. They have a military value not
possible to obtain from other types or
combinations Of types. To further neglect
their necessity Is to deliberately weaken
Of the navy is, however. for battleships,
and the board does not recommend any
modification Of the building programme
by which preference In building Is given
to battle cruisers, or other fleet units and
auxiliar1es which will interfere with the
ultimate battleship strength.
Navy Ready for War.
Battle practice has brought the existing
feet to q state OF complete readiness for
instant service. says Secretary Meyer. Re
serve as we'll as active vessels are kept
In condition for any contingency. and the
navy's gunners have during the year
made records that more than sustain the
high standards OF the service.
Aeroplane equipment Is entirely made
quate at the present time. according to
Secretary Meyer. He points out that
while the United States spent only $4,000
for this purpose last year. Japan spent
500, 900, and Ave European nations spent
individual sums ranging from 5000. 900 to
8. 900, 900 the latter being the expenditure