The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-12-12
According to Secretary of
the Navy Daniels Re-
port to President
HE RECOMMENDS
TWO SUCH WARSHIPS
In Addition, Daniels Would
Build Many Other
Boats

Washington, D. c., Dec. l2,-Startlinl
successes of submarines in the European
: war have not swayed United States navy
officials from their belief that all big gur
battleships of the dreadnought type form
the main dependence Of any sea power
The construction of two such ships next
! year was recommended by Secretary Dan
iels in his annual report submitted yes
terday to President Wilson. The navy
general board urged the building of four.
The complete building program for the
coming year recommended by Secretary
Daniels comprises;
Two dreadnoughts, six destroyers, eight
or more submarines, one to be a large,
sea going craft and the others of smaller
size for coast defense operations; one
gunboat and one fuel oil ship.
If this program is followed out, Mr..
Daniels says, "the increase will be note
worthy and viii give us a well-rounded
navy equal, if not superior, to that of
any navy in the world, ship for ship and
man for man."
Secretary Daniels program, he states,
| follows the policy of the general board
recommendations but reduces the number
OF ships of each class asked for The
board recommended the construction of
the following as the 1915 program:
Four dreadnoughts, 10 destroyers, three
sea going submarines Is coast defense
submarines four scout cruisers, four gun
boats, two fuel oil ships, one destroyer
tender one submarine tender, one navy
transport. one hospital ship. one supply
ship and a S5000,000 appropriation for
navy air craft. The board was acting on
its policy looking to the completion in
1919 of feet, the main line Of which
would be as battleships. In its report /
transmitted by the secretary, ii is stated
that the present situation Of the battle /
gram, the total of those in commission, |
under construction and authorized for
completion in 1919 being 81.
Faith in Submarine Strengthened.
Submarines come in for extended dis
cussion by the secretary and the general
warfare" Mr.. Daniels SAYS, 'have I
strengthened faith in the efficacy of the
submarine The department urges, there
fore. the construction of an increased
number of submarines and the larger
utilization of this weapon of warfare
which has demonstrated its effectiveness.
There are many VERY many more than
a few weeks ago. who believe the time
has come when the advice of Sir Percy
Scott should be taken. Months ago that
able English officer declared that the
was the most effective ship of
the navy of the future and advised a ees-
@ation in the rapid construction of dread
noughts and the utilization of the money
thus spent in building large numbers Of
The lay mind has accepted
this view OF the policy, but the trained
naval officers making up the general I
board are convinced that while the sub !
marines have large part To play in ma
val warfare. they do not replace the larg-
ar craft. These naval statesmen hold 10 ]
The opinion that the dreadnought remains 81
the central and chief fighting force OF
gell-propoitioned navy. d
"The general board reiterates the opin- =
on il has always held that command Of |
.he sea can only be- gained and held BY
vessels that can take and keep the sea in
M times and in all weathers and over
ONE the strongest enemies that can be
brought against them Il declares other !
ypes are valuable and have their partic-
liar uscs' but the backbone Of any navy
hat can command the sea consists Of the
trongest sea-going. sea keeping ships Of =
T. day, or. OF its battleships' y
"The department feels that Il is upon :,
afe ground in looking 10 the board 10 I
.rescribe the character Of the slips 90 b. >
constructed. Tie large increase in sub =
marines IL most desirable. but nothing in -
he present war has disproved their faith
n the modern dreadnought. The fact :,
hat there has been no encounter BE-
Ween these powerful ships does not JUS :,
ify the conclusions that their further y
Construction should BE- discarded in favor =
I the smaller craft which has sstonished
hs world by IL ability 10 sink cruisers y
M other craft, giving its severest and &.
iost fatal blows before lie presence il
iscOrpred Il may ~ that naval engage
Ieuts later on uill teach lessons that .
81 change expert opinion but ~ long ss =
le lalk ~ the ablesf naval of8cers be- i.
eve the increase Of the navy should en- n
race IN fair proportion. the dread \
ought ths destroyer and the submarine.
BE- secretary would not feel warranted N Y
s',irnnaeniine = widely different program
rrnst f1rtiun.
HpweFaf. in view ~ the demonstrates
1wrf ~ ths sutsmarina. ] would impress
..nn Congress flF importance ~ making
larPaF inrrpaae in the submarine craft
rrorfiatirr generously therefor Wlth-
q ru8ueing the nr.rfnTrintirnss for ctr ~
craft ne fafinatas fer flle-s uere "
lnraa 60 the minimum
Ttat urf nn8r has nat neglected. TIE
rsffslffa- ~ Submarines wu % sHen