The chronicle=news., 1914-12-24

successes of submarines in the Euro.
I pean war have not swayed United
States navy officials from their belief
that all big gun battleshipe of the
deadnought type from the main de-
nendence of any sea power. The
construction of two such ships next
year has been recommended by Sec
rotary Daniels. The navy general
board urged the building of four.
I The complete building program for
the coming year recommended by
Secretary Daniels comprises:
! Two dreadnoughts, six destroyers,
eight or more submarines. one to
be u large sea-going craft and the
others of smaller size for coast de-
Tense operations: one gunboat and
one fuel oil ship.
If this program is followed out, Mr.
Daniels says. the increase will be
noteworthy and will give us we'll
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 gen.
eral board recommendations. but re-
duces the number of ships of each
class asked for. The board recon-
mendcd the construction of the fol-
lowing as the 1916 program:
Four dreadnoughts. 16 destroyers,
three sea-soing submarines, l6 coast
defense submarines. four scout crllis-
az r,,n DsI ut
one destroyer tender one submarine
tender. one navy transport. one hos
pital ship, one supply ship and a
S5.00O,000 appropriation for navy
air craft. The board was acting on
its policy looking to the completion
in 1919 of a fleet, the main line of
which would be Is battleships. In
its report transmitted by the secre-
iary, it is stated that the present sit
uation of the battleship fleet is 10
ships behind that program. the total
of those in commission. under con-
struction and authorized for compile
ton in 1919 being 81.
Submarines come in for extended
discussion by the secretary and the
ments in naval warfare" Mr.. Daniels
says, have strengthened faith in
the efficacy of the submarine. The
department urges. therefore, the con-
struction of an increased number of
submarines and the larger utilization
Of this weapon of warfare which has
demonstrated its effectiveness. There
are many Every many more than a
few weeks ago.. who believe that the
time has come when the advice of Sir
Percy Scott should be taken. Months
ago that able English officer de-
clared that the submarine was the
most effective ship of the navy of
the future and advised a cessation IN
the rapid construction OF dread
nouShts and the utilization of the
money thus spent in building large
numbers =, of submarines. The lay
mind has accepted this view of the
policy, but the trained naval Officers
making up the general board are con-
WINGED that. while the submarines
have large part to play in naval
warfare. they do not replace the
larger craft. These naval statesmen
mold 10 the opinion that the dread
nought remains the central and chief
lighting force of well-proportiOned
navy.
The general board reiterates the
opinion it has always held that com
mand of the sea can only be gained
and held by vessels that can take
and keep the sea in all times and in
all weathers and overcome the strong
est enemies that can be brought
against them. 1t declares other
types are valuable and have their par
ticular uses but the backbone of
any navy that can command the sea
consists of the strongest seagoing,
seakeeping ships of it's day, or. of
its battIeships.'
The department feels that it is
upon safe ground in looking to the
board to prescribe the character of
the ships to be constructed. The
large increase in submarines is most
desirable. but nothing in the pres
cnt war has disproved their faith in
the modern dreadnought. The fact
that there has been no encounter be-
tween these powerful ships does not
justify the conclusion that their fur
ther construction should be discard
ed in favor of the smaller craft which
has nstonished the world by its abil-
ity to sink cruisers and other craft
giving its severest and most fatal
blows before its presence is discov-
cred. " gay he that naval engage
ments later on will teach lessons that
will change expert opinion. hut as
long as the bulk of the ablest naval
officers believe the increase OF the
navy should embrace. in fair pro
portion. the dreadnought, the de-
stroyer and the submarine. the sec
rotary would not feel warranted in
recommending widely different pro-