New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-11

when the NANNNANAA
American citizens.
Following this statement, Secretary
o,,iels admitted that he and the Cen
,,,l Board were at odds over definite
,,vsl programme. He told the com
r4tee that he did not indorse the
recommendations of the board for four
b,ttleships a year, nor its recent criti-
.;.ns Of "the absence OF any dehn'te
naval policy on our part, except IN the
General Board" He said that even II
The financial condition of the country
vould hermit it ne was opposed to the
suading of more than two battleships
at this time.
Secretary Daniels thought the cOun-
,rv had a powerful navy, and that the
,bips we're we'll manned lie was not
ssked. however. as to why there was
only one submarine in active service
o, the whole Atlantic coast, nor was
hs asked if an absence Of feet drills
for nearly two years helped to make
wVerful navy. These questions will be
rt.d Of the Secretary of the Navy to-
rsrow.
Opposed TO Council OF Defence.
Secretary Daniels also said that he
vas opposed 10 a national council OF
offence eucb As was proposed by Rep
yesentstive Hobson. who explained that
in this way only could concrete plan
for the defence Of this country be
erystanized. llr. Daniels said he op-
posed it because it interfered with
the separate functions Of the three
branches Of government-eXeeutiVe'
legislative and judicial.
The Secretary, said he believed that
President Wilson would steer this ma
lion clear Of danger, despite the con-
stantly aiising delicate questions. lie
said. nevertheless, that i would be un-
wise at tEis time to cease building b.
ileships on the assumption that there
might be a reduction IN armament aiIeI
the European trouble had ended.
This first intimation from Cabinet
officer that this nation might become
involved in the European war followed
a line Of questioning pursued Dy
small navy" men on the committee,
who sought TO get an admission from
Mr. Daniels that there was no need OIL
building by this nation If there was
h.pe OF reduction in armament after
the foreign war. Representative GRAY
asked. in view Of this peaceful hope, II
the United States needed the same
naval programme as last year.
Il understand" said Mr. Gray, that
the Kaiser has declared they are going
70 fight this war 70 a finish, as long as
they have man and ship left. l
understand that the Allies have made a
declaration that they will never sur
render; that they are going to fight the
war to finish, as long as they have
man or a ship left Now, under those
circumstances, when this war is con
eluded, do you think we will need the
same naval programme to continue
which we maintained last year, WI
the same conditions do not exist|
Most sssuredly DO" said Mr.. Dam
itls, "and for this reason: We are
neutral amons the nations, and dell
cate questions arise every week. 90
hos believe, and J do not think any OF
. believe, and ] am sure all OF US
ape, that none OF those questions VIII
snearrass Us, but you can never say
MY vill not. and when there is tre
~ about Is you cannot sometimes stop
'as s'nfagration.
Must Strengthen the Navy.
. Is not impossible that we may >
Viewed. ] do not think IL IS prooaDls; ?;
90 not think We will be involved, and
an sure that the President Will use
Wy influence and power he has >
Aeep us from being involved, but we
s1hnot say positively that we may H0t
pe' and therefore / Nould say IT "ould
oe mistake and great wrong not 10
continue 20 strengthen our navy, De,
ssase such thing as have Indicated
would be possible"
:. hardly think you get the PROPOSE
ssoh J have in mind" said Dir. Gray,
ana perhaps I am not able TO present
clearly II a programme OF two
nips Was sufficient last year, as
sx1inst England, would the same pro-
POTION be necessary this year as
against Englandfo
We did not build az against Eng
~ne' the Secretary replied.
=. am simply taking one nation az a
Hme." said Mr. Gray.
" We were building navy as
sysinst England -battlcship pro-
sfamms would be much too small" I"
vas the answer.
We are not building against any
hstion IN particular" said the commit
Continued on page 3. column q