South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-11
DANIELS STICKS
To TWO BATTLE
SHIPS PROGRAM
House Naval Committee Keeps
Naval Secretary Busy
Answering Questions ReIa-
tive to Larger Sea Defense.

Daniels with questions intended TO OBJ
tain reasons for his adherence TO a
two-battleship program and to deVel-
Cp the navy's weakness If as has been
alleged, IL is weak IN some Of its COM
ponent parts.
Admitting that ne would favor four
battleships If revenues Of the govern
ment would permit, the secretary in
sisted that the continuance of the usu-
al yearly program was keeping the
United States IN strong position
among the naval powers. The admin
istratiOn's naval program 10 which the
committee is asked to give its approval
includes two dreadnOughts, six de-
stroyers. eight submarines, one Of the
seagoing type; one gunDoat and one
collier.
Throughout the hearing Sec'y DAN
iels laid stress on the fact that this
year every dollar that Is appropriated
should be devoted TO fighting ships
alone.
''Mr. Secretary" said Rep. Butler.
considering the changed conditions
as to the way war breaks out, / am
concerned TO know if we are in a pO-
sitiOn 10 protect ourselves. Are we in
a good state OF defense ?"
Can't Build One In a Day.
You cannot build battleships in a
day" replied Mr.. Daniels. With re
little trouble as they can be fmprO-
vised in an emergency, but with this
program Of the armament and equip
ment steadily increased, / think we
are in a very good position"
In the light of what the kaiser. and
the allies say about the probable dura-
ton Of this war" said Rep. Gray, do
you think that our program should
differ from what it would be without
this war;"
Some members Of The committee
suggested that this was tTeading dan
gerously close upon the neutrality the
president had urged in the discussion
of all public questions.
In response 10 a query by Mr.. But
Ter, if, in his judgment an increase of
two dreadnOughts would provide the
national defense the country ought TO
have, Sec'y Daniels said
I'VE will never have in the army
an navy a defense to meet every pos
sible emergency, but with the equip
ment the department has recommend
ed / think you can have a good de-
tense. We are in "a strong position
now. We shall not have what would
be called a perfect war defense. The
people of this country will not stand
for a great army and navy that would
impoverish them. We now have as
strong a navy as to men and material
as any country has, but not so large.
1t is not the purpose of this country
to 20 into competition with military
governments. If Canada were an in
dependent country and threatening
us We might have TO enter upon
strong military program. but no such
danger confronts the United States"
Pressed for his views on disarma-
ment. Mr.. Daniels said he hoped to
see an agreement between the ma
tions for disarmament. but in my
opinion il will never come about
through the agency of any one
government. There must be concert
of action"
Would such a proposition from
China carry any weight?' asked Mr..
HobsOn.
And when the secretary shook his
head Mr.. HobsOn followed:
Looks For Disarmament.
Would a suggestion from Germany
for disarmament carry weight"
1T would" replied the secretary
with emphasis. 1T is my conviction
that the horrors and consequences of
this war will bring disarmament
about, and this country should exert
itself in that direction. Still L believe
il would be most unwiSe for us 10 act
today in any other way than we would
if there were no war. We must carry
on our normal program and after the
war we can take up the other ques-
ton.
when this war is over" continued
the secretary, the world Will be so
exhausted and so shocked and such a
reaction will come that the people
will demand cessation Of these enOr-
nous expenditures for armament. l
expect to see an international confer
ence on armament through which the
nations will act and agree that their
various navies shall be reduced and
used only in carrying into effect their
respective international agreements"
Sec'y Daniels emphasized the need
of a proper naval reserve system,
which in his estimation. ought to con-
sist Of not fewer than %, 600 men.
During the Mexican trouble" said
the secretary in this connection, my
office was deluged with applications
from former sailors who wanted to
volunteer. 1t was a most satisfactory
spirit and / am confident that such a
reserve can be provided for and be-
come available the moment an emer-
gency confrOnts US"
The secretary explained that now
when a mans term expires he is ask
ed about his wishes with regard 10
such a reserve and his address regis
tered. The department has the plan
we'll under way and Mr.. Daniels said
the greatest enthusiasm was shown
nN the men WIN AN-aA u 10 IL II
might be added here that Sec'y OF
War Garrison has much the same plan
for the army.
with such a reserve system" he
said. Eve could man every fighting
ship within 10 DAYS"
Favors More Submarines.
OF the ships of the navy he said 90
per cent were in commission and the
department had enough men 10 man
all that should be needed.
Next year. he told the committee
that he would ask for more men.
Much time was devoted To the sub
fect OF submarines. The secretary
said he favored an increase in these
vessels. but 10 the extent that seemed
10 be demanded by the laymen. IL de-
veloped that there are submarines at
Manila for the defense OF that bay
and three more en- route. five more at
Panama for the protection OF the ma
ton. five with the Atlantic fleet. four
nj Hawaii and three on the Pacific.
These submarines. said the secre-
tary. ARE largely experimental and
we don't know yet how they are 10 be
dqVQlOped -