The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-12-07


and explicit a program which mas
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 1t will be
to the advantage of the country for
the congress to adopt comprehen-
sive plan for putting the navy upon
a final footing of strength and eff
cheney and tc 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
Il 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, htty
destroyers, fifteen feet submarines
eighty-tive coast submarines, four gun
boats, one hospital ship, two ammuni'
tion ships, two fuel oil ships, and one
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 fleet submarines, hfteen
coast submarines, one gunboat, ana
one fuel oil ship; the third year, two
| battleships, one battle cruiser, Two
scout cruisers, Ave 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
ammunition ship, and one fuel oil
ship; and the fifth year, two battle
ships, one battle cruiser, two scout
cruisers, ten destroyers, two fleet SUD
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. 1,200 apprentice seamen, and
500 marines. This increase would
be sutiic cient to care for the shlps
which are to be completed with
in the fiscal year 1919 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 al 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 classih
cation followed by the general board
of the department. an effective navy
consisting of 81 battleships, of the first
line. 6 battle cruisers, 25 battleships
of the second line. 10 armored cruis
ers, l3 scout cruisers, hrstclass
cruisers, second-class cruisers, IL
third class cruisers. los destroyers, Is
fleet submarines l57 coast submarines
monitors , 20 gunboats, supply
ships. 10 fuel ships, transports
2 tenders to torpedo vessels, yes
sells of special types. and 2 ammuni
tion ships. This would be navy mt
ted TO our needs and worthy of our
traditions.
Rut armies and instruments OF wal
are only part of what has to be con
sidered II we are to consider the su
premc matter of national self'suttcien
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 fol
example. a 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 a great
merchant marine.
IL is high time we repaired our mis-
take and resumed our commercial inde
pendence on the seas.
Need Of Merchant Marine.
For it is question of independ
ence. II other nations 60 TO war oil
seek TO hamper each others com
merce. our merchents, II seems, ar,
NJ their mercy. TO do with as they
please We must use their ships, snt
use them se they determine. We hsv'
NOT .hips enough OF our own. W.
cannot handle our own commerce az
the seas. Our independence is proviu
cial. and 10 only on land snd vithii
our own borders. We are not lisel.
10 be permitted TO use even the ship