Evening star., 1915-12-07

Of prudence to be strong on the seas.
Year by year we have been creating
navy which now ranks very high IN
deed among the navies Of the mari .-
determine how we~Shall complete "hat
we have begun, and how soon.
Tne program to be laid before you
contemplates the construction within
cruisers, ten scout cruisers. fifty de
stroyers, fifteen fleet submarines.
!eighty-fve coast submarines, four
|gunboats,- one hospital ships4two- ammu-
repair ship.
Construction in First Year.
1t is proposed that of this number
we shall the first year provide for the
construction OF two battleships, two
battle cruisers. three scout cruisers,
hfteen destroyers, five fleet submarines,
twenty-five coast submarines, two gun
boats and one hospital ship: the second
year, Two battleShips, one scout cruiser,
ten destroyers. four fleet submarines,
n1teen coast submarines, one gunboat
ana one fuel oil ship; the third year,
two battleships one battle cruiser, two
scout cruisers, five destroyerS, TWO
Meet submarines and fifteen coast sub
marines; the fourth year, two battle
ships. two battle cruisers, two scout
cruisers, ten destroyers, two fleet sub
marines, fifteen coast submarines. one
ammunition ship and one fuel oil ship,
and the fifth years. two battleships, one
battle cruiser, two scout cruisers. ten
destroyers, two fleet submarines, fifteen
coast submarines, one gunboat, one am
munition ship and one repair ship.
Ihe Secretary of the Navy is asking
also for the immediate addition to the
$500 apprentice seamen, and 500 ma
rines. This increase would be sufficient
to care for the ships which are to be
completed within the fiscal year 1917.
must be put in training to man the
ships which will be completed early in
1918. 1t Is also necessary that the
number of midshipmen at the Naval
creased by at least 900. in order that
the force of officers should be more
rapidly added to; and authority is asked
to appoint, for engineering duties only,
approved graduates of engineering col
leges. and for service in the aviation
corps certain number of men taken
from civil life.
Strength in 1921.
If this full program should be car
ried out. we should have built or build
ing in 1921, according to the estimates
OF survival and standards of classifica-
tion followed by the general board of
the department, an effective navy, con-
sIsting of twenty-seven battleships of
the first line, six battle cruisers, twen-
ty-fve battleships of the second line.
cruisers, five first-class cruisers, three
second-class cruisers, ten d-class
cruisers. los destroyers, eighteen fleet
submarines. 157 coast submarines, six
monitors. twenty. gunboats. four sup
ply ships. fifteen fuel ships, four trans
ports. three tenders to torpedo vessels,
eight vessels of special types, and two
ammunition ships. This would be a
navy htted to our needs and worthy Of
our traditions
But armies and Instruments of war
are only part of what has to be con-
sidered II we are to consider the su-
preme matter of national self-suffi-
clency and security in all it's aspects.
inere 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 develop
ment that we should have a great ner-
chant marine. The great merchant
meet 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 bull
wark 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 re-
sumed our commercial independence on
the seas.
. Independence on the Seas.
For. 1t is "a question of Independence
II other nations go to war or seek to
hamper each others commerce, our
merchants. 1t seems, are at their mercy,
to do with as they please. We must
use their ships. and use them as they
determine. We have not ships enough
OF our own. We cannot handle our
own commerce on the seas. Our inde-
pendence is provincial. and is only on
land and within our own borders We
are not likely to be permitted to use
even the ships of other nations in
rlvalry OF their own trade, and are
without means to extend our commerce
even where the doors are wide open
and our goods desired. Such a situa-
ton Is not to be endured. 1t is of
capital importance not only that the
United states should be its own car
r1er on the seas and enjoy the eco
nomic Independence which only an ade-
quate merchant marine would give It.
but also that the American hemisphere
as whole should enjoy a like indie
pendenee and self-sufhciency, if it is
not to be drawn into the .tangle of Eu-
ropean affairs. Without such indie
pendence the whole question of our
political unity and determination
is very seriously clouded and compli-
Gated. indeed.
moreover, we can develop no true or
effective American policy without ships
OF our oWn-not ships of war, but ships
OF peace, carrying goods and carrying
much more; creating friendships and
rendering Indispensable services to all
interests on this side the water. They
must move constantly back and forth
between the Americas They are the
only shuttles that can weave the deli
cate fabric of sympathy, comprehen-
sion. confidence and mutual dependence
In which we wish to clothe our policy
OF America for Americans.
Building Up Merchant Marine.
The task of building up an adequate
merchant marine for America private
capital must ultimately undertake and
achieve. as it has undertaken and
achieved every other like task amongst
US In the past, with admirable enter
prise. intelligence and vigor; and 1t
seems to me a manifest dictate of wis
dom that we should promptly remove
every legal obstacle that may stand in
the way of this much to be desired re-
yival OF our old independence and
should facilitate in every possible way
the building. purchase and American
registration Of ships.
But capital cannot accomplish this
bark upon Il by degrees, as the oppor-
tunities Of trade develop. Something
must be done at once; done to open
routes and develop opportunities where