The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-12-07
PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE

I COMPREHENSIVE plan for putting the
navy upon q dn4l7 footing OF strength
and efficiency and to press that plan
to completion within the next ave
years. We have always looked to the
navy Of, the country as our nrst and
chief line of defense; we have always
seen it ito be our manifest course OF
prudence to be strong on the seas.
Year by year we have been creating Q
navy which now ranks very high In
deed among the navies OF the maritime
nations. We should now definitely de-
termine how we shall complete what
We have begun and how soon.
The Navy Program.
The program to be, laid before you
lcontemplates the construction within
i've years Of ten battleships, six bat
tie cruisers, ten scout cruisers. fjfty
destyoyers, fifteen neet submarines.
eighty-Gve coast submarines. four gun.
boats, one hospital ship. two ammuni-
ton ships. two fuel oil ships and one
repair ship. 1t ia proposed that Of this
number we shall the first year provide
for the construction of two battleships
two battle cruisers, three scout cruisers,
fifteen destroycrs, FIVE feet submarines.
twenty-five coast submarines, two gun.
boats .aqdsone hospital ship; the second
year two battleships. one scout cruiser
ten destroyers, four 6eet submarines.
fifteen coast submarines. one gunboat
and one fuel oil ship: the third year
wv - taS~ hot fvxsa
scout cruisers. five destroycrs. two fieet
submarines: and fifteen coast subma-
rines; the fourth year two battleshins.
two battle cruisers, two scout cruisers.
ten destroyers. two fleet submarines,
fifteen, coast submarines, one ammuri-
tion ship and zone fuel oil ship. and
the fifth year two battleships. one hat
tie cruiser. two scout .crgiskrss ten de
, stroyers. two neet submarines. fifteen
coast submar ines: one gunboat. one am
munition ship and one repair ship.
The secretary Of the, navy is asking
also for the immediate addition to the
personnel Of the navy Of $500 sailors.
2.5Oo apprentice seamen and 1.5o0 mn.
rines. . This increase would be sum-
cient to care for the ships which are
to be completed within the fiscal year
1917 and also for the number Of men
which must be nut in training to man
the ships which will be completed
early in 1913. 1T Is also necessary that
the number OF midshipmen at the Ma.
, val academy at Annapolis should lie
increased by at least 500 in order that
the force OF officers should be more
rapidly added to. and authority is ask
, ed to appoint. for engineering duties
only. approved graduates OF engineer
ing. colleges. and for service, In the avi-
alton corps. H. certain number Of men
taken from civil life.
II, this fnll program should be carried
out We should have built Or building In
ln:1. according to the estimates OF sur
vival and standards Of classification
followed by the general board, OF the
department. am effective navy, consist
ing Of - battleships OF the first line.
battle cruisers. % battleships Of the
second line. 10 armored cruisers. l3
scout cruisers. 5 first class cruisers.
second clasS cruisers. 10 third class
cruisers. lOS destroyers. 1S feet sub
marines. 1871 coast submarines, 6 mon
itors: 20 :gunhoats. + supply ships. Is
fuel ships. + transports. ) tenders to
torpedo vessels. 8 vessels Of special
types and two ammunition ships. This
would be navy fitted to our needs
and worthy of our traditions.
But armies and instruments Of war
are only part Of. what has to be con-
sidered if we are TO consider the SUI
premc matter OF national self suficieh.
cy and security in all Its aspects.
There are other great matters which
will be thrust upon our attention
whether we will or not. There is. for
example, a very. pressing question of
trade and, shipping involved. in this
great problem of national adequacy.
1t is necessary for many weighty rea-
sons Of national efficiency and devel.
opment that we should have a great
merchant marine. The great merchant
fleet we. once used to, make us rich,
that great body of sturdy sailors who
and who were the pride and often the
bulwark OF the nation. we have almost
driven out Of existence by inexcusable
neglect and indifference and by a hope
lessly blind and provincial policy. OF
so called economic protection. 1t is
high time We repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence
on the seas. -" =. :.
Ships Of Peace Needed. --
For it is question Of independence.
If other nations 60 to war or seek to
hamper each others commence our
merchants, 1t seems, are at their mer:
cy to do with as they please. We must
use their ships and use them as they
determine. I We have not ships enough
OF ,our own. We cannot handle our
own commerce on the seas. Our indie
pendence is provincial, and is only on
land and, within, our own borders. We
are not hifely to be. permitted to use
even the ships Of. other nations in RI
valry OF their own trade and are with
out means to extend our commerce
even where the doors are. wide open
and our goods desired. Such situa:-
ton Is not ito be endured. It is Of capt.
tai importance not only that the Unit
ed Suites should be its own carrier on
Ethe. seas and enjoy the economic iade-
pepdsnce which only an adequate