The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-06
FIGHT LOOKED FOX
OYER BIGGER NAVY
Advocates Of Increase in Ma
tional Dcfcnccs Anticipate
sharp Political Contest.
TO OPPOSE ARMY PLANS

1900 ~ 'fS
tainty that their recommendations will
contests seen here in many years. the
,.r-rai BOARD Of the Navy and Sccre-
,ary Daniels's other advisers will soon
begin the preparation OF the annual
building programme.
Men in Washington Of all shades Of
political faith and also military and
naval men expect the coming winter
! IN Washington to be largely taken up
With the issue of national defences. Sec
rotary Garrison will submit to Congress
complete programme for the reor-
saniration and expansion Of the military
establishment. which is certain TO pre-
e,pI,a,e a hot fight. while the navy will
figure with equal prominence on the
question Of new construction.
It has already appeared that the
fcrces f~avoring a better preparation Of
the United States for wal will be no
better organized than those opposed to
any increase in either the army or
navy. Some OF these opponents. who
are at least sympathizers with those
who are against more attention being
paid to the national defences, are within
the Administration itself. The majority
Of the members of the Administration
and certainly in the Cabinet. are now
convinced. II they previously had any
doubts, Of the necessity for something
icing done.
u,arus NAVY COmteat EunertaA
The contest over the naval programme
promises to be particularly interesting,
as 1t will undoubtedly have two dis
,inct and separate phases. One will be
the struggle between those who wish
something done and those who would do
nothing. 1t is also certain that a Sec
ond contest will be carried on among
those who favor action on account Of
differences Of opinion as to the lessons
taught by the wa in Europe.
secretary Daniels has frequently
shown himself by his speeches OF the
last ten months As one who feels that
now is a time when the United States
should proceed most carefully in adding
to its navy in order to be certain that IL
70 going ahead along the right lines and
consistently with the teachings OF the
greatest war. In a recent speech at the
Naval Wal College he told the officers
Of the service that the Government
looked TO them to digest thoroughly the
problems presented to all naval Powers
b. the maritime warfare in progress
since last August and to make recon-
mendations based on the teachings OF
the worlds latest experience.
There is no doubt that Mr. Daniels
will be ready to lend a willing ear 10
Claims that the war has changed this
o. that and that one or another estab-
l!shed idea had better be thrown into the
discard. The chief point in this connec-
ton Of course is the relative value of
submarines. whether. as some contend.
they have rendered obsolete the modern
dIeadnought.
Conservative on Submarines.
Most American naval officers have
shown themselves to be conservative in
regard to the submarine. What rom
customs the general board will reach on
this subject cannot yet be said. They
have ahead OF them now four or five
months in which to make up their rec
concentrations. but to date the prevail
ing sentiment in the service is that the
''N hfas " nv
ship. that the submarine has proved
nothing more than that II is a most I'M
portant adjunct to the battle fleet.
Ofhcers maintain that In naval wars
OF the future, just as In the past. COM
mAnd of the sea will be won and held by
the Power able to oppose TO the enemy
the greatest hitting force. that is. the
strongest combination OF d~readnoughts.
II Is a saying among military men that
battles are in the end decided by the
infantry. The American naval view at
present is that command OF the sea
will siill so to the Power with the most
and strongest battleships.
That the General Board will n
doubtedly recommend a liberal number
OF submarines for next year Is not
doubted. For this years construction
the board recommends sixteen coast
submarines and three feet submarines.
Twelve were authorized. 1t Is expected
that the board will recommend at least
nineteen more this year and not i'm
probably t~wenty-four.
but the board from the present out
nok 10 probably also to recommend the
obstruction or at least four battleships.
The General Board. though 1t has no
status in law or authority. has en-
eeavored to build up a continuing policy
OF naval construction. something which
mas never existed in the United States
navy because % the failur OF various
Secretaries and Congress to accept the
eoards recommendations in full.
The board recommended four battle
ships for TINS year; two were granted.
-Four were asked for In order to make
up the deficiency Of previous years In
relation to the boards policy for con-
s~'ruction. Ii Is not impossible that the
BOARD may recommend six battleships.
II is a fact that most nava officers
naNa a ssAI IAA-1, hu --t-