The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-12-12
FINEST TYPES OF
MACHINES ORDERED
Secretary Says That Orders
Were Given Early Last
Year for Some Foreign
Built Machines, But the
War Prevented Their De-
livery - Department Is
Determined to Build Up
This Arm of the Service
Rapidly.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

81 ASSOClA1 ELI HhESS.
Washington. Dec. 11.-Startling sue
cesses OF submarines in the European
war have not swayed United States
navy officials from their belief that all
big-gun battleships OF the dreadnought
type form the main dependence of any
sea power. The construction of two
such ships next year was recommend
ed by Secretary Daniels in his annual
report submitted today to President
Wilson. The navy general board urged
the building Of four.
The complete building program for
the coming year recommended by Sec
retary Daniels comprises:
Two dreadnoughts. six destroyers,
eight or more submarines, one to be
a large sea-goipg craft and the others
Of smaller size for coast defense op-
eratlons; one gunboat and one fuel
oil ship.
EQUAL TO ANY.
II this program-is followed ont. Mr.,
Daniels says, the increase will be
noteworthy and will 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.
eral board recommendations but re-
duces the number Of ships of each
class asked for. The board recon-
mended the construction of the follow
Ing as the 1915 program:
Four dreadnoughts, sixteen Destroy
ers. three sea- going submarines, six
teen coast defense submarines, four
scout cruisers, four gunboats. two fuel
oil ships. one destroyer tender, one
submarine tender. one navy transport,
one hospital ship, one supply ship and
a 50 100000 appropriation for navy air
craft. The board was acting on its
policy looking to the completion in
1913 OF a fleet, the main line of which
would be 4S battleships. In It's re-
port transmitted by the secretary, it is
stated that the present situation of the
oattleship fleet Is ten ships behind that
Program, the total of those in COM
mission, under construction and au-
thorized for completion in 1919 being
hirty-seven.
AVIATION SERVICE.
OF aviation the secretary says:
Air craft have demonstrated in the
present war in Europe that no military
arm Is complete which lacks them.
When the fleet was ordered to Mex
lcan waters in April, in connection with
me occupation of Vera Cruz, two aero
plane sections OF two aeroplanes each,
completely manned and with full out
'ts, were sent on board the Mississippi
and Birmingham to Vera Cruz and
1ampico. respectively. There was no
occasion for the use of aeroplanes at
Iampico. Those at Vera Cruz were
used continually, and although the ma
Vys aeroplanes are not fitted for land
work, for 43 days they did good deal
OF scouting over the trenches protect
ing Vera Cruz. There were daily fights
without regard to weather or other
.ondiaons. To every call made upon
.'le,h our young aeronauts made ready
anu a. cheertul response, and theiF Tore |
t.iousht and caution prevented any ac- |
iuelts. Their scout work in the sky |
assured the commander n-chief that |
~ mines had been planted, enabled /
~,ni 70 locate sunken works, and was |
- 'nestlmable value in the combined |
SpeF8tions of the army and navy. The |
a1aFy toll that must be paid for pro- |
s,eSs IN all invention calling for dar- |
-,s mas resulted in the death this year |
- one air pilot. Lieut.. J. D. Murray. !
ollLeu states navy. His name will i
~ remembered among the immortals /
"~o nave given their lives to the de-
,e, .e'opment of aeronautics. He was an
s1c'tht officer. courageous in life,
N'ourned in death.
AIR craft have demonstrated In the
resent war in Europe that no mill
N, ~ arm Is complete which lacks them.
f,4 fey VIII not replace vessels of war.
cut win extend the field of operations
~ l"e air as well as on the surface
GO, -, anu underneath the water. The re-
49, wars have demonstrated the in
h. .''iidole Importance of scouting, and
NJ uay Is not far distant when
os '1,Fh ~ Maury will chart the currents
n. me air as that great naval officer
-oIeed the currents Of the ocean Air