The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-23
BATTLEsHlPs
STILL PLACES FAITB
IN OUR DREADNoUGHTS.
ARE DECISIVE FACTORS

ARE DECISIVE FACTORS
Navy Chief Recommends Two Dread
noughts, Six Destroyers and Eight
Submarines-Says This Program
VIII Make Navy Equal to Any
Submarine Success Ut Certainty.
Startling successes OF submarines
In the European war have not sway
ed United States navy officials from
their belief that all big-gun battle
ships of the dreadnought type form
the main dependence Of any sea
power. The construction Of two such
ships next year was recommended by
Secretary Daniels in his annual re-
port submitted Friday to President
Wilson. The navy general board urg-
ed 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 large,
sea-going craft, and the others OF
smaller size for coast defence opera
tions, one gunboat and one fuel Oil
ship.
If this program is followed out,
Mr.. Daniels says, "the increase will
be noteworthy and win give US 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 gen.
crate board recommendations, but re-
duces the number Of ships OF each
class asked for. The board recon-
men6ed the construction OF the fol-
lowing as the 1915 program:
Four dreadnoughts, sixteen de-
stroyers, three sea-going submarines,
sixteen coast defense submarines,
-four scout cruisers, four gunboats,
two fuel Oil ships, one destroyer ten
der, one submarine tender, one navy
transport, one hospital ship, one sup
ply ship and q S5,000,000 appropria-
ton for navy aircraft. The board
was acting on its policy looking to
the completion in 1919 Of feet, the
main line OF which would be 4S bat
tleships. In its report transmitted
by the secretary it is stated that the
present situation Of the battleship
I feet is ten ships behind that program,
the total Of those in commission, un-
construction and authorized for COM
pletion in 1919 being thirty-seven.
Submarines come in for extended
discussion by the secretary and the
general board. Recent developments
& In naval warfare Mr.. Daniels says,
..haye strengthened faith In the eff
cheney OF the submarine. The depart
ment urges, therefore, the construc-
ton /cf ar, increased number OF sub
marines and the larger utilization OF
this weapon OF warfare, which has
demonstrated Its effectiveness.
"There are many Every many more
than few weeks ago1 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 submarine was the
most effective ship Of the navy Of the
future and advised cessation in the
rapid construction OF dreadnoughts
and the utilization OF the money thus
spent in building large numbers OF
submarines.
.tThe lay mind has accepted this
view Of the policy, bet the trained
naval officers making up the general
board are convinced that, while the
submarines have large part. to play
IL naval warfare, they do not re-
place the larger craft. These naval
Statesmen hold to the opinion that
the dreadnought remains the central
and chief fighting force Of a we'll
I proportioned navy.
ssThe general board reiterates the
opinion it has always held that com
lnand Of the sea can only be gained
) and held by vessels that can take and
keep the sea In all times and in all
Yeathers and overcome the strongest
enemies that can be brought against
them It declares tother type are
valuable and have their particular
uses but the backbone Of any navy
t,.at can command the sea consists Of
the strongest, sea-goiug, sea-keeping
sh1ps Of its day, or, OF its battleships.
sHThe 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 the present
war has disproved their faith In the
modern dreadnought.
'".The fact that there has been no
encounter between these powerful
ships does not justify the conclusion
: that their further construction should
be discarded In favor Of the smaller
craft, which has astonished the world
by its ability to sink cruisers and
other craft, giving its severest and
most fatal blows before its presence
Is discovered.
s'It may be that naval engagements
later on will teach lessons that will
change expert opinion, but as long as
the bulk Of the ablest naval officers
believe the increase Of the navy
should embrace, in fair proportion.
the dreadnought, the destroyer, and
the submarine. the secretary would
not feel warranted In recommending
widely different program Of con-
struction.
However, In view of the demon
strated power Of the submarine,
would impress upon congress the i'm
portance Of making larger increase
in the submarine craft, appropriating
generously therefor without reducing
the appropriations for other craft.
The estimates for these were -educed
to the minimum.
That our navy has not neglected
the construction of submarines will
be seen by a comparison Of our