Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-10-13
DOUBLE u. S. NAVY
WITHIN FIVE YEARS
Is President Wilson's Plan--Dan-
iels Agrees On Policy Of Build
ing Fl Ships and 1000 New
Submarines.
WOULD COST $24s, 600, 900 A YEAR
Agreement On Army Increase Call for
Strengthening Of Coastal Ports.

ouengtnening OF IoaStal F0FtS.
Fifteen to twenty fighting ships Of
the dreadnought and battle cruiser
type, with proportionate number OF
seagoing submarines, coast subma-
rines, scout cruisers, destroyers and
auxiliaries enough to make new
American fieet--is contemplated by
Secretary Daniels for recommendation
as five-year building programme for
the United States navy.
President Wilson and Secretary Dan
iels have discussed informally the
needs of the.navy, and are argeed that
IN order TO be adequately prepared for
defense the present strength of the
leet must be almost doubled in the
next FIVE years, with the addition of
many of the latest type of fast and
powerful craft.
Details as to numbers have not yet
been finally worked out, but the idea
Of fixing a ratio for a continuing pro-
gramme over period of FIVE years is
the basic principle on which the G en-
eral Board of the navy and Secretary
Daniels now are planning their recon-
mendatious. Another conference be-
tween the President and the Secretary
Will be held Friday, at which the total
number probably will be fixed
The five-year naval programme,
when completed. would add, in addi-
tion to dreadnoughts and battle cruis-
ers, nearly a hundred submarines,
about seventy scout cruisers and a
proportionate number of fuel and hos
pital ships.
An important part of the program
too will be proposal for large in
crease in personnel. Appropriation
for at leass 5000 additional men will
be asked for the first year, to make up
present deficiencies, and an adequate
number will be sought to man the new
ships built in the five-year period
The total cost of the proposed pro-
gramme for the first year, according to
present plans, is estimated at nearly
s2iS. 900. 900, or about Sl00, 600, 600
increase over last year. just what
construction should be provided for the
first year has not been determined
As to the approximate number of
ships the fleet should have at the end
of FIVE years, however, officers of the
General Board and Secretary Daniels
are understood to be in thorough ac-
cord.
Admiral Benson, Chief of Naval
Operations. is being consulted daily
by the Secretary. and within few
days the complete programme is ex-
pected to te ready for examination by
President Wilson.
1t is considered probable that the
construction programme for the first
year will exceed that of succeeding
years. in order that urgent deficiencies
may be filed promptly.
The General Board has been consist
emily recommending four battleships
year, but last year Congress provided
only two in the regular programme, al
though the building of a third dread
nought was made possible by the sale
of the battleships Mississippi and
Idaho to Greece.
The previous year only one battle.
ship was granted. The General Boards
original plan of having feet of as
FIRST class battleships by 1920 conse-
quently has suffered materially.
1t is understood that, after study
ing the naval programme carefully,
President Wilson intends to discuss it
IN his annual message, and to make of
it al Administration measure.
The building programme last year
provided for sixteen submarines, so
that the total of such craft, built and
building, now is seventy. Although
effective means of combating under
sea warfare apparently has been found
in Europe, it is the purpose of the
Navy Department TO recommend at
least thirty submarin es for next year.
so as to furnish an adequate number
for defensive purposes. In the next
four years. however, an average of
sixteen submarines year, a few of
which would be fleet submarines,
woulo be maintained. That would
bring the total to about ITO in five
years.
1t is not known what the plans of
the navy aresfor the organization of
the new fleet, but the general belief
in naval quarters is that the placing
of fleet in the Pacific will figure
materiallysinsthe programme
President Wilson yesterday discussed
with Representative Swager SherIey
plans for general increase in the
country's coast defenses, and to-day
the President took up general army
legislation with Representative Hay.
MIR. Sherley is Chairman of the
Special Committee on Military Affairs.
These two conferences are likely to
have great effect on the Administra-
tion's program for increasing the ma
tional defenses.
In discussing the plans, President
Wilson had before him the Garrison
reorganization scheme. which was
prepared with the best military ad-
vice in the country.