The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15
Report by Daniels Says the California Is as Large
 as Is Advisable
EUROPEAN WAR HAS
 TAUGHT ITS LESSONS
Would Be Unwise to Construct Ves- sels That Might Not Easily Pass Through the Canal-Abandon
 Plans for 36,O00-Ton Ship

Washington, December 14.-Super- dreadnaughts of the California class, displacing 32,0O0 tons, are declared to represent a high water mark in the size of American battleships, in 8 statement presented to Congress by Secretary Daniels, outlining the les- sons of the European war as to the best type of war vessel.
 Tt would be unwise,' the statement says, "to build dreadnaughts so large that they could not easily pass through the Panama canal. It is also believed that in view of the increased efficiency of the torpedo, the very extensive use of mines and the bombs from aircraft, it is decidedly better to increase the fighting units in number rather than in size, the high water mark in size having been reached in vessels of the California class"
 The statement was submitted in re- sponse to a requirement. of the last naval appropriation bill that Con- gress be furnished with report lon building four warships of the type, power and speed which, in his (the secretary'S) judgement, based on knowledge gained from the prevailing war in Europe, are best suited for war on the sea-"
 In his reply, MT. Daniels apparently brings to a close the debate which has been agitating the navy department for many weeks as to the general char acteristics of the first battleships to be recommended under the administra- tion five-year building plan. Tentative plans for 36.000-ton ship, armed with 16-inch, or perhaps 17-fnch guns, have been discussed. Many officers believe the present 14-inch .50 calibre weapons of the Pennsylvania and California class ships to be ample, since the ships will carry a dozen each of these as against eight or 10 at most, of larger weapons without radical increase in displacement There are other navy officers and officials, however, who believe the 16-inch rifle completed and tested last year with satisfactory re- suits, should go on the new ships, and still others who argue for a 17-inch gun.
 In answering the question propound- ed by Congress, the secretary declares for the superdreadnaught the most efficient weapon, ship for ship, in any navy He serves warning. however, that a fleet composed exclusively or dreadnaughts must meet defeat at the hands of better balanced organ ization properly equipped with battle cruisers, scouting craft and submarines.
 The prime military characteristics to be determined, the statement says arc the offensive power of a ship, as rep resented by guns, torpedoes, etc, and defensive power, expressed in terms Of armor and cruising radius.
 LESSONS FROM WAR
 Much of the departments informa- tion," continues the statement, "in re- gard to the details affecting the efh- ciency of belligerent ships is in the form of confidential reports which it would be contrary to the public inter- ests to make public in any way. There are, however, several conclusions which can be laid down.
 "The first and most important lesson is that the British fleet, composed not only Of dreadnaughts and superdread- naughts, but also of battle cruisers, light cruisers, destroyers, submarines and auxiliaries, has to date maintained command of the sea, thereby assuring to Great Britain and her allies com munication with all parts of the world and reasonably safe oversea transport for her military forces and supplies, at the same time denying similar advan- tages to her adversaries. It is fur ther known that, despite the efforts of submarines and other minor craft, the losses of this fleet have not been serious.
 Another notable fact was brought out by the statement of the first lord of the admiralty to Parliament in No- vember. 1914 that by the end of 1915 there would have been added to the fleet 15 capital ships together with a corresponding and adequate number of vessels of other types. All of this in- dicates conclusively that the command | of the sea with the attendant secur- ! ity of the shores of country exercis- 1 ing that command rests with the power possessing ships which. in the aggregate. have preponderance in the prime mili- tary characteristics enumerated above. "Of present and practicable types of