New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-23
Looking TO the Wars End.

Another point on which information
is desired is the opinion of the board
as TO the danger of aggression from
Europe at the close Of the war. The
delicate balance of power there, which
has made it impossible for any Eu
ropean nation to send a force across
the ocean without seriously exposing
herself TO attack from powerful
neighboring enemy, is acknowledged to
have been the best defence of this
country to date. But the chances that
this balance will be destroyed by the
war are great, and the possible danger
depends on where the power will lie
after peace is declared.
1t is declared that without some
knowledge of these things. or at least
Of the boards opinion of them, all dis
cussion of defence is practically futile.
To build too few ships to meet the en-
envy expected would simply be to in
sure defeat and death of the American
sailors, the experts declare, and the
first essential of wise legislation, the
purpose 20 be attained, they say Mr..
Daniels has withheld.
Admitting that reasons of state
might make IL unwisc to discuss with
the public such questions as these. the
defence advocates believe the same end
might be served I'M great measure by
the publication of the boards unbiased
estimates for new ships. These would
give an accurate idea of the dangers
which, in the view Of the naval ex-
perts. may have TO be met, and so
would'give at least a moderately firm
basis for legislation.
Instead, Dir. Daniels publishes mere
~ the boards estimates as 10 the best
way 70 spend sum fixed in advance
by him-Sl00,0 100000 year for five
years. These estimates, while they
have many advantages in that they
tend 10 insure a continued and con-
sistent policy, are declared of no value
whatever as a ground for judging the
defence needs, since they in no way
represent the experts views.
1t is understood that the boards un-
biassed estimates are for a considerably
larger construction plan than the cash
limit imposed on them makes possible
The first year plan they recommend on
the cash basis, which Is nearly double
the Daniels plan, is understood TO APP
proximate what they believe should be
the annual growth of the navy 70 meet
the present conditions of world poll
tics.
Far Short of Boards Programme.
II is evident. defence advocates de-
clare. that the programme finally sub
mitted under the cash limit is far short
of that which the General Board had
in mind when it laid down the policy
Of equalling any other navy in the
world by 1926. Though the rule Is
vague, still it presupposes a navy OF
great power, and the boards cash basis
programme will still leave this country
far behind in the matter of naval ar
rnament, occupying a place certainly
not better than fourth, in case the
present European navies survive the
war
The rate Of construction of Ameri-
can battleships enters into the discus
sion here. The General Boards esti-
mates call for the authorization OF the
last dreadnoughts in 1920 and their
completion by 1922. Secretary Daniels
has revised this, ''to equalize the
amount spent eacn year." so that the
last three capital ships would be au-
thorized a year later, or in 1921. This.
on the boards estimates Of construc-
ton, would put the navy at its full de-
signed strength in 1923.
The defence advocates. however.
point out that in practice shDs for