The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-12-09

( ten destroyers. two feet submarines
fifteen coas, submarines, one ammnnl
/ tIon ship and one fuel oil ship. ant
the fifth year two battleshlps, one bat
! tie cruiser. two scout cruisers. ten de
I stroyers. two feet submarines. tifteer
coast submarines, one gunboat. one am
munltlon ship and one repair ship,
The secretary OF the navy Is asking
also for the immediate addition TO the
personnel Of the navy OF 1900 sailors
$500 apprentice seamen and ! 200 ma
rInes. This increase would be sufii-
Client 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 put In training TO man
the ships which will be completed
early In 1913. II is also necessary that
the number Of midshipmen at the Ma
val academy at Annapolis should be
increased by at least 300 In order that
the force of officers should be more
rapidly added to, and authority is ask
cd to appoint, for engineering duties
only. approved graduates OF engineer
ing colleges, and for service In the avi-
alton corps a certain number Of men
taken from civil life.
II this full program should be carried
out we should have built or building In
1921, according to the estimates Of sur
vfval and standards Of classification
followed by the general board Of the
department. an effective navy consist
Ing Of q battleships Of the first line, 9
battle cruisers, % battleships Of the
second line, 10 armored cruisers, Is
scout cruisers, first class cruisers, 3
second class cruisers. 10 third class
cruisers, 10S destroyers. IS feet sub
marines, 157 coast submarines, 6 mon
itors, 20 gunboats, supply ships, 10
fuel ships, transports, 3 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 su-
preme matter Of national self sufficien-
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, 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 great
merchant marine. The great merchant
feet we once used to make us rich,
that great body Of sturdy sailors who
used to carry our flag into every sea,
and who were the pride and often the
bulwark Of the nation. we have almost |
driven out of existence by inexcusabe
neglect and Indifference and by 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.
With view to meeting these press
Ing necessities Of our commerce and
lvailing ourselves at the earliest posi-.
BILE moment Of the present unparalleled
Of linking the two Amerl
ras together IN bonds of mutual inter
ast and service, an opportunity which
may never return again if we miss II
now, proposals will be made to the
present congress for the purchase or
of ships to be owned and
lirected by the government similar to
hose made to the last congress, but
In some essential particulars,
recommend these proposals to you
or your prompt acceptance with the
more confidence because every month
hat has elapsed since the former pro-
)osals were made has made the ne.
essity for such action more and more
imperative. That need was
hen foreseen. 1t is now acutely felt
md everywhere realized by those for
whom trade Is waiting, but who can
ind no conveyance for their goods. !
~ not so much interested in the par.
iculars Of the program as | am in
aking immediate advantage Of the
reat opportunity which awaits us If
Te will but act In this emergency. In
his matter, as In all others, spirit Of
ommon counsel should prevail. and
ut Of 1t should come an early solu
ion Of this pressing problem.