Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-02

Washington, Dec. Admiral
Dewey's views of the naval program
the United States should adopt if it
IN the family of nations are trans
mitted to President Wilson with the
report Of Secretary Daniels.
The admiral's views, which enbody
the recommendations of the Navy
General Board, are that the fleet
should consist of 4S battleships Of
the line before 1920 If possible and
that the building program should be-
gin this year with four dreadnoughts,
sixteen destroyers, eight submarines
and minor craft. Admiral Dewey
points out that If four first class ships
were laid down, this year, they would
not increase the strength of the navy
but would molly replace the Indiana,
Massachusetts, Oregon and Iowa,
which he declares should be withdrawn
even from the reserve line. Contending
for continuing building policy unaf-
fected by political parties or change OF
administration and says
THE General Board does not believe
the nation stands ready to abandon or
modify any of these well-established
rational policies, and repeats its posi-
ton that the naval policy of the coun-
try should be to possess fleet power
Jul enough to prevent or answer any
challenge to these policies. The abso-
lutte strength necessary to accomplish
this is q question that depends upon
the national policies of prospective
challengers and the force they can
bring against us and, hence, Is rela-
tive and varies with their naval poll
cies and building program.
1.-The forecast of the board with re-
gard to naval development In other
countries has proved remarkably ac-
curatc The absence of any definite
naval policy on our part, except In the
General Board, and the failure OF the
people, the Congress, and the executive
government to recognize the necessity
for such a policy, has already placed
us in position of inferiority which
NAV lead to war; and this inferiorlty
is progressive and will continue to in
crease until the necessity for a dennlte
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 10 years, and be-
uevtng that the naval needs of the ma
ton call for fleet of As ships or the
first line in 1920, recognizes conditions
as they exist, and the futility OF mop
ing or expecting that the SHIPS anu
mon its policy calls for Will De pro-
yided by 1920. The General Board does
believe. however, that this result may
he eventually attained by the adoption
nv the government of definite naval
nolicy, and the putting of 1t before
Congress and the people clearly ana
succinctly.
"By this method responsibility for
any rupture of our peaceful relations
with other nations due to our naVai
weakness, or any national dlsaster IN
war due to the same cause, Will oe
definitely fixed. The General Board De-
lieves that the people, with full under
standing Of the meaning OF ana rea-
sons for naval for naval power. VIII
instruct the legislative branch OF the
government, and that that prancn'
with the same understanding, Will pro-
vide the means. BY the same under
standing. will provide the means. by
the a0ODe1On anu d0NoStbSJ ~ -
" defined, definite policy the depart
ment, with whom the responsibility
first rests, will have done it's part, and
placed the responsibility with the peo-
pic and the legislative branch of the
government
"If the people, having been given the
meaning of and the reasons for naval
power fail to instruct the Congress
the responsibility and the resulting
material loss and national humiliation
rests upon them; and if the Congress,
having been instructed by the people,
fails to provide the means, then the
responsibility is theirs.
1.-THE General Board believes that on
" a lack of understanding of these
views by the people at large prevents
the adoption Of a consistent naval
rolicy; and recommends to the de-