The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-10-15
Administration Plans Call For
More Big BattIers
WHOLE FLEET TO BE SUPPLIED
IN FIVE YEARS TINE
Csihing Congress viii Have Plenty
Of Work Cnt Out for it in National
Defense Program.

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battle cruiser type, with a proportion
ate number Of seagoing submarines,
coast submarines, scout cruisers, de-
stryoers and auxilliaries-en to
make a new American fleets con-
templated by Secretary Daniels for
recommendation as a five-year build
ing program for the United States
navy.
President Wilson and Secretary
Daniels have discussed informally the
needs of the navy and are agreed that
in order to be adequately prepared for
defense the present strength of the
fleet must be almost doubled in the
next five years, with the addition of
many Of the latest type OF fast and
powerful fighting craft.
Details Not Worked Out.
Details as to numbers have not yet
been finally worked out, but the idea
Of fixing ratio for a continuing pro-
gram over period of five years is the
basic principle upon which the gen.
eral board OF the navy and Secretary
Daniels now are planning their rec
concentrations. Another conference
between the president and the secre-
tary will be held Friday, at which the
4.
The fiye-year naval program, when
completed would add In addition to
dreadnaughts and battle cruisers,
nearly hundred submarines, about
70 destroyers and several scout cruz
sers, and a pproportionate number of
fuel and hospital ships.
More Men Needed.
An important part of the program.
too. will be proposal for large in
crease in personnel. Appropriations
for at least eight Thousand 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-
gram for the first year, according to
present plans is estimated at nearly
$248, 100000, or about 100000 900
construction should be provided for
mined AS to the approximate num-
ber OF ships the fleet should have at
the end of five years, however, off,
GERS of the general board and Scre-
tary Daniels are understood to be in
thorough accord. Admiral Benson,
chief of naval operations, is being
consulted daily by the secretary, and
within few days the complete pro-
gram is expected to be ready for ex-
animation by President Wilson
First Year Program Large
IL is considered probable the con-
struction program for the first year
will exceed that of succeeding years
in order that urgent deficiencies may
be- filled promptly. The general board
has been consistently recommending
four battleships a year, but last year
congress provided only two in the reg
ular program, although building of a
third dreadnaught was made possible
by the sale of the battleships Mississ-
ipri and Idaho to Greece Ths pre-
vicus yesl only one battleship was
granted. The general boards original
program of having d fleet Of As first
class battleships by 1920 consequently
has suffered materially.
1t is understood that after studying
the naval program carefully, Presi-
dent Wilson intends to discuss 1t in
his annual message and to make of II
an administration measure.
Plenty Of Submarines.
The building program last year pro-
vided for 16 submarines, so that the
total Of such craft built and building
now is TO- Although effective means
OF combating undersea warfare ap.
parently have been found in Europe
it is the purpoes Of the navy depart
ment to recomemnd at least 80 subma.
rines for next year, SO as to fur
nish an adequate number for defen.
sive purposes. In the next four years
however, few Of which would be neet
submarines, would be- maintained
That would bring the total to about
ITO in five years. y
1t Is not known as yet what tht
plans Of the navy are for the organt
sation Of the new ne1k but the gen
eral belief IN naval quarters is tha'
the plan Of having ! 3Ieet IN the Pa
cific will figure materially In the pro
gram. # 33ss
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