New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-04
40 BATTLESHIPS
STILL THE GOAL
OF NAVY EXPERTS
Big Fighting Craft Re-
garded as Proved Mis-
treSS of the Seas.
SCOUT CRUISERS
ALSO CALLED FOR
Many Submarines To Be Includ-
ed in Defence Recommends
tionS to President.

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Sept. 3.The forty bat
tleship ideal adopted as the programme
of the Naval Board several years ago
will continue to be the goal of the
board, Secretary of the Navy Daniels
made plain to-day in answer to in
qUiries as to what would be his recon-
mendations to the President.
There will be no swerving from this
goal because of the prominence the
submarine has achieved as a factor in
naval warfare. Naval experts hold
that the big fighting ship is still the
mistress of the seas, and they point
to the fact that few battleships have
been sunk by submarines so far in the
European war except when they were
bombardng forts in an effort to aid in
a land battle, as at the Dardanelles.
Just how many battleships would be
recommended Secretary Daniels would
not say. although it is believed he will
ask for not fewer than three Dread
noughts. In addition to this, it was
taken from comments made by the Sec
retary, the board will recommend sey-
eral battle cruisers or scout cruisers.
The Secretary discussed at length the
importance of these big, fast, but light
" armored ships, which carry guns
equal to those of the Dreadnought, but
which can run away from the heavier
vessels.
Hints at Faster Dresdnoughts.
Even the Dreadnought. the Secretary
thought, might eventually be modified
so as to give her greater speed, even
at the sacrifice of protective armor. 1t
was recalled that nearly all of the
naval experts were a unit last year in
holding that il only two big ships were
to be built they should be battle
cruisers, since this country had not
one such ship. Not big ship in the
American navy, il was pointed out,
could have run away from the Bluecher
and the big, speedy German cruiser
could have sunk any smaller vessel IN
the American navy with her heavy
guns. Yet three British battle cruis-
ers. all possessing greater speed and
heavier guns than the Bluecher, were
able to send her TO the bottom because
Of that superiority The fact that two
at least of the pursuers were severely
injured is not regarded as diminishing
the Importance of the lesson.
The big fast cruisers which the board
will recommend. it is stated, VIII be
equipped with at least 14-inch guns,
naval ordnance experts believing that
this type of gun is better than the
larger guns used by the Queen Eliza
beth, of the British navy, having great
er piercing power and effectiveness.
That a large number of submarines
will be asked for goes without saying,
as these little craft have shown their
effectiveness.
Interest as 10 the size of the navy
eventually was caused to-day by the
remarks of President Wilson about
Secretary Daniels consulting with men
who "best comprehend what the navy
must be in the future in order to stand
upon an equality with the most EN-
cient and most practically servicesble."
For Congress to Say.
When asked whether this meant that
the limited States should have a navy
second 10 none. even England, Secre-
tary Daniels said that the policy would
have TO be determined by Congress.
Secretary of War Garrison is under
stood 20 have his recommendations on
national defence relative 70 the army
ALREADY mapped out. In reply to a
question during the recent crisis with
Germany as 20 whether, II Congress
should be assembled Immediately, he
could ask the legislators at once for
what he wanted he said that he could
do so.
Both Secretary Garrison and Secre-
tary Daniels will see the President
next week to talk over the programmes
of the army and navy. Later the two
will hold joint conference with Mr.
Wilson on national defence.
President Wilson received to-day a
telegram from the American Defence
Society. pledging support TO his plans.
your Excellency's call for definite
nroqramme for submission 20 Congress
based upon expert opinion IN the army
and navy" said the message, deserves
united Endorsement Of the country 10
arouse the public and IS representa-
tives in Congress to the aeed OF an
adequate army and navy as outlined in
your statement We pledge our unre-
mitting support
The Navy League made public to-
night It's Endorsement Of Mr. Wilson's
course. in the form of letter to the
President, from A. II. Dadmun. seere-
tary OF the league, which says;
at is, evident that We cannot secure
the navy that xe need IN one year. and
therefore a consistent and progressive
development Of the navy, covering
rar;od ~ years should. as YOU say,