The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-18
BIG SHIPS RULE Waves,
DREADNOUGHTS WILL FORM
BACKBONE OF NAVY.
Vessels of California Glass Should be
Supported by Other Craft Says DAN
icls.

Washington, Dec. 14.--Superdread-
noughts of the California class, dis
placing $4,000 tons, are declared to
represent the high water mark in
the size Of American battleships, in a
statement presented to congress by
Secretary Daniels today outlining the
lessons Of the European war as to the
best type of war vessel.
1T would be unwise," the state
ment says, Ito build dreadnoughts so
large that they could not easily pass
through the Panama canal. 1t is also
believed that in view OF the increased
efficiency Of the torpedo, the very ex-
tensive use Of mines and the bombs
from aircraft, it is decidedly better
to increase the fighting units in num-
bers rather than in size, the high wa
ter mark in size having been reached
in vessels of the California class"
The statement was submitted in re-
sponse to a request from the last
naval appropriation bill that congress
be furnished with a report on build
ing warships Of the type, power and
speed which, in his (the secretary's)
Judgment. based on information on
the war in Europe are best suited for
war on the sea-"
In his reply Mr.. Daniels apparent
| ly settles the question Of the general
characteristics of the first battieship
to be recommended under the admin
istration five year building plan
Tentative plans for a $4,000 ton shin
armed with 16 inch or perhaps II
inch guns have been discussed. Many
naval officers believe the present IA
inch SO calibre weapons Of the Penn
sylvania and California class ships to
be ample, since the ships will carry
a dozen each of these as against eight
or ten at most Of larger weapons with
out radical increase in displacement
There are other navy officers and Of
ficials. however, who believe the new
16 inch rifle should go on the new
ships. Still others argue for II
inch gun.
The secretary declares for the su.
perdreadnought as the most efficient
weapon, ship for ship, in any navy
He serves warning, however, that a
fleet exclusively Of dreadnoughts
must meet defeat at the hands of q
better balanced organization prop erly
equipped with battle cruisers, scout.
ing craft and submarines.
The prime military characters tc
be determined, the statement says
are the offensive power of a ship, as
represented by guns, torpedoes, etc.
and defensive power, expressed in
terms Of armor and cruising radius.
Much Of the departments informa.
tion," continues the statement, 'ir
regard to the details affecting the ef-
fciency Of belligerent ships is in the
form of confidential reports which II
would be contrary to the public in.
forests to make public in any way
There are, however several conclu-
sions which can be laid down.
Tho first and most important les.
son is that the British grand fleet
composed not only Of dreadnoughts
and superdreadnoughts, but also OF
battle cruisers, light cruisers, destroy
ers, submarines and auxiliaries, has to
date maintained the command of the
sea. thereby assuring to Great Britain
and her allies communication with all
parts Of the world and reasonably safe
oversee transport for her military
forces and supplies, at the same time
denying similar advantages to her ad-
versaries. 1t is further 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 security
of the shores of country exercising
that command rests with the power
possessing ships which in the aggre-
gate have prOpOnderance in the
prime military characteristics enumer-
ated above.