The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-12-07

which plans long matured shall be
carried out; but it does make definite
and explicit a program which has
heretofore been only implicit, held in
the minds of the two committees on
naval affairs and disclosed in the de
bates of the two houses but nowhere
formulated or formally adopted. 1t
seems to me very clear that it will be
to the advantage of the country for
the congress to adopt comprehen.
sive plan for putting the navy upon
final footing of strength and eff
cheney and to press that plan to COM
pletion within the next five years.
We have always looked to the navy of
the country as our first and chief
line of defense; we have always seen
it to be our manifest course of pru-
dence to be strong on the seas. Year
by year we have been creating navy
which now ranks very high indeed
among the navies of the maritime ma
tions. We should now definitely de-
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 bat
tie cruisers, ten scout cruisers, fifty
destroyers, fifteen feet submarines,
eighty-tive coast submarines, four gun
boats, one hospital Ship two ammuni-
Al -l,I f,,4 oil chi iDn nd m n
regular 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 fleet submarines, twenty-five coast
submarines, two gunboats, and one
| hospital ship; the second year, two
battleships, one scout cruiser, ten de-
stroyers, four feet 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
submarines; the fourth year, two bat
tleships, 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 year, two battle
ships, one battle cruiser, two scout
cruisers, ten destroyers, two feet sub
marines, fifteen coast submarines, one
gunboat one ammunition ship, and
one repair ship.
More Men for the Navy
The secretary of the navy is asking
also for the immediate addition to the
personnel of the navy of 1900 sail
ors. 1900 apprentice seamen, and
1,500 marines. This increase would
be sufficient to care for the ships
which are to be completed with
in 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 1918. II is also
necessary that the number of midship-
men at the Naval academy at Annap-
oils should be increased by at least
three hundred
II 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 classifi-
cation followed by the general board
OF the department, an effective navy
consisting of 27 battleships. OF the first
line, battle cruisers, 25 battleships
of the second line, 10 armored cruis-
ers, 13 scout cruisers, first-class
cruisers, 3 second-class cruisers, 10
third-class cruisers, 10S destroyers, Is
fleet submarines. 157 coast submarines
monitors 20 gunboats, supply
ships, Is fuel ships, 4 transports
tenders to torpedo vessels, YES
sells OF special types, and ammuni-
tion ships. This would be a navy fit
ted 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 selfsufficien-
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.
II is necessary for many weighty rea-
sons OF national efficiency and devel-
opment that we should have great
merchant marine.
II is high time we repaired our mis-.
take and resumed our commercial indie.
pendence on the seas
Need Of Merchant Marine.
For II Is question OF indepcnd.
ence. II other nations 10 to war or
seek TO hamper each Others com
merce. our merchants. II seems are
at their mercy, TO do with IA they
please. We must use their ships. and
use them az they determine We have
not ships enough OF our own, We
cannot handle our own commerce on
the seas. Our independents Is ptoviu
cial. and IL only on land and within
our own borders We are 10, hkelY
TO be permitted TO Use even the ehips