The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-02
NAVY LEAGUE-ASKS
48 CAPITAL SHIPS
Daniels Transmits It's Program
to Congress--Ideas of Gen
eral Board Adopted.

Washington, January Forty
eight great battleships, 1914 destroyers.
ninety-six submarines. and adequate
auXillaries--theso constitute tho total
OF the navy OF tho United States as
the Navy League believes 1t should
be established. Tho recommendations
OF the league in full have been trans
tho Navy Daniels. and will DO In the
hands OF the Naval Committee when
Congress reassembles.
.Ihe recommendations OF The Navy
League for Il great navy gain addl-
t1onal interest from the fact that the
opponents Of a large navy are unusu-
ally active, and Will do their utmost
,his winter to prevent the authoriza-
ton of new battleships. If tho little
navy advocates have thoir way. not
one new battleship will be authorized
Ut this session OF Congress-
First Definite Policy.
Inc accommodation Is made In
statement saying that when Congress-
takes up consideration OF naval APP
propriations. 1t will have before 1t ror
the first time the reasons given by its
duly accredited naval experts for tho
creation of a navy of given size.
Inc general board of the navy has been
IN existence for fourteen years, and
Tor eleven OF those years has been
recommending definite naval policy.
ana mas BEEN explaining the reasons
ior tnat policy. But the public is now
gwen It's first opportunity TO weigh
tho policy and determine whether or
DOT tne reasons for ii are sound.
The general board of the navy was
created In 1900 for the purpose of shap-
Ing general policies for that depart
ment The duties of the Navy Depart
ment were executive. 1t had many
things to do. but there was no provision
Tor thinking organization to deter
mine policies
Since Its creation. the board has had
ms ITS head George Dewey. tho only
adfnlrai or the navy. -Four rear adj
mirals who have gained for themselves
distinction as naval experts, support
MN. Ihey are Admirals c. Z. Vree-
land, w. II. II. Switzerland, A. NJ.
Knight and B. a. Fiske. In addition
10 tnese' are Captain A. G. Winter
natter L. S. Rodgers, II. s. Knapp. John
Hood and w. r Shoemaker, all men
or proven worth in the command OF
ships.
Reason Hidden Away.
The general board took three years
after its creation to lay down a build
ing program @at in its Judgment
should be followed that the nation
should be In n position to extend its
trade. maintain it's established policies.
and effectively defend itself against
attack. In 1903 1t reported upon this
building program. 1t called for two
battleships year. with n third shin
each third year
with an understanding OF the prob
able growth OF the fleets Of the world
IL looked into the future and arranged
It's program to develop fleet OF forty
eight capital ships by 1920. Its pro-
gram. IL followed, would have resulted
In that number of ships. Other nations
nave laid down such programs, and Will
nave greater navies at that time.
The recomm endations OF the general
board were never made public Each
year those recommendations have been
repeated. AS they were not followe ed in
The first few years after they were
made, the board came 10 recommend
more ships in a given year, with the
idea of still bringing the navy UP to
the standard they had set by 1920.
They have asked for four ships a year
for the last five years. Tho request
for four ships have been submitted to
Congress, but the reasons OF the board
have accumulated dust In the depart
ment. The board has as n consequence
gained reputation OF asking for over
much.