The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-12-07
termine how we shall complete what

we have begun and how soon.
The program to be laid before you
contemplates the construction within
five years Of ten battleships, six battle
cruisers. ten scout cruisers, fifty de
stroyers. fifteen feet submarines
eighty-fve coast submarines. four gun
boats, one hospital ship. two ammuni'
ton ships, two fuel oil ships and one
repair ship. 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
fifteen destroyers, five feet submarines,
twenty-five coast submarines, two gun
boats and one hospital ship: the second
year two 5attleships, one scout cruiser,
teE ,iestr1yers. four fleet submarines,
fifteen coast submarines. one gunboat
and one fuel oil ship; the third year
Two battleships, one battle cruiser, two
scout cruisers. FIVE destroyers, two fleet
submarines and fifteen coast subma-
rines; the fourth year two battleships,
two battle cruisers, two scout cruisers.
ten destroyers. two fleet submarines,
fifteen coast submarines, one ammuni-
ton ship and one fuel oil ship, and
the fifth year two battleships, one bat
tie cruiser, two scout cruisers, ten de-
stroyers. two feet submarines. fifteen
coast submarines 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,
$500 apprentice seamen and 1.500 ma
rfnes. This increase would be sr,h-
cient to care for the ships which are
70 he 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. 1t is also necessary that
the number Of midshipmen at the Ma
val academy at Annapolis should be
increased by at least 800 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 a certain number of men
taken from civil life
If this full program should be carried
out We should have built or building in
1921. according to the estimates Of sur
vivai and standards Of classification
followed by the general board of the
department, an effective navy consist
ing Of q battleshipS Of the first line, 8
battle cruisers, % battleships of the
second line. 10 armored cruisers. l3
scout cruisers, ) first class cruisers, 5
second class cruisers. 10 third class
cruisers. 10S destroyerS. Is feet sub
marines, 157 coast submarines. 6 mon
itors, 20 gun3oats. 4 supply ships, 10
fuel ships, transports, tenders to
torpedo vessels. s vessels of special
types and two ammunition ships, This
would be a navy fitted to our needs
and worthy Of our traditions.
But armies and instruments OF war
are only part Of what has to be en-
sidered if We are to consider the su-
preme matter Of national self sufticien,
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
fleet 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 inexcusable
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 a view to meeting these press
ing necessities Of our commerce and
availing ourselves at the earliest possi-
BILE moment Of the present unparalleled
opportunity Of linking the two Ameri-
cas- together in bonds Of mutual inter-
est and service, an opportunity which
may never return again if we miss it
now, proposals will be made to the
present congress for the purchase or
construction Of ships to be owned and
directed by the government similar to
those made to the last congress, but
modified in some essential particulars.
l recommend these proposals to you
for your prompt acceptance with the
more confidence because every month
that has elapsed since the former pro-
posals were made has made the ne
cessity for such action more and more