The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-12-01
NAVY PROGRAM
UNITED STATES
SHOULD ADOPT
Admiral Dewey Believes
Fleet Should Consist of
48 Battleships of the Line
Before 1920 If Possible,
Building Program to Con
tinue Right Away.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Washington, Nov. 30-Admiral
Dewey's views of the naval program
the United States should adopt If 1T is
to guard its international policies in
to President Wilson with the report OF
Secretary Daniels.
The admiraPs views, which embody
the recommendations of the navy gen.
eral board, are that the fleet should
consist of 48 battleships of the line
before 1920 If possible and that the
building program should begin this
year with four dreadnoughts, sixteen
deStroyers, eight submarines and
minor craft Admiral Dewey points
out that If four first class ships We're
laid down this year, they would not
increase the strength of the navy but
would only replace the Indiana, Mas
sachusetts, Oregon and Iowa, which
from the reserve line. Contending for
continuing building policy unaffected
by political parties or change of ad-
nainistrafion and says:
The general board does not believe
the nation stands ready to abandon
or modify any Of its we'll established
national policies repeats its position
that the naval policy Of the country
should be to possess a feet powerful
enough to prevent or answer any chal-
lenge to these policies The absolute
strength necessary to accomplish this
is qnestion that depends I1on The
IA III 4,ra i'll III aa4niN& tf &yFBSfs &&f FT4 stsf
1engers and the force they can bring
against US and hence. is relative and
varies with their naval policies and
ssThe forecast of the board with re-
gard to naval development in other
countries has proved remarkably ac-
curate. The absence OF any definite
naval policy on our part. except in
the general board, and the failure of
nd a axG
utive government to recognize the
necessity for such a policy, has al
ready placed us in position OF in
feriorfty which may lead to war: and
continue to increase until the neces-
sity for definite policy is recognized
and that policy put into operation.
"The general board. while adhering
to the policy it has consistently fol-
lowed for the past ten years, and be-
lieving that the naval needs OF the
nation call for feet Of 48 ships Of
the first line in 1920, recognizes con-
ditions as they exist, and the futility
of hoping or expecting that the ships
and men its policy calls for will be
provided by 1920. The board does be-
lieve, however, that this result may
be eventually attained by the adoption
by the government of a definite naval
policy, and the putting Of it before
congress and the people clearly and
succinctly.
UP TO THE PEOPLE.
"By this method responsibility for
any rupture of our peaceful relations
with other nations due to our @nWal
weakness, or any national disaster in
war due to the same cause, will be
definitely fixed. The general board be-
lieves that the people, with full under
standing OF the meaning OF and rea-
sons for naval power, will instruct
the legislative branch OF the govern
ment, and that that branch, with the
same understanding. will provide the
means. BY the adoption and advocacy
of clearly defined, definite policy the
department. with whom the respon-
sibility first rests. will have done its
part, and placed the responsibility