Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-12-15
THE SHIP LIMIT
IS $4,000 TONS
Daniels Regards Bigger Super
dreadnaughts As Unwise.
CONGRESS ASKED STATEMENT.
Dimensions Of Panama Canal Con-
misunderstanding Prefers a
Balanced Fleet to Single
TYNE


MIA type, displacing $4,000 tons. are
declared to represent the high-water
mark in the size of American battle
ships, in a statement presented to Con-
gress by Secretary Daniels yesterday
outlining the lessons Of the Euro
pean war as to the best type of ship
for war.
1T would be unwise,, the statement
says, ito build dreadnaughts so large
that they could not easily pass through
the Panama Canal. Ii is also believed
that in view of the increased efficiency
of the torpedo, the very extensive use
OF mines and OF bombs from aircraft it
is decided better to increase the fight
ing units in number rather than in
size the high-water mark in size hav-
ing been reached in vessels of the Cali
fornia class"
The statement was submitted in re-
spouse to a requirement of the last
Naval Appropriation bill that Congress
be furnished with a report ION build
ing four warships of the type, power
and speed which in his 1.-THE Secretar-
ry's) Judgment. based on knowledge
gained from the prevailing war in
Europe, are best suited for war on
the sea"
In his reply Mr. Daniels apparently
brings to a close the debate which has
been agitating the Navy Department
for many weeks as to the general char
cristics of the first battleships to
be recommended under the Admins
tration five-year building plan.
Tentative plans for a 36,000-ton ship
armed with 16-inch or perhaps 17-inch
guns have been discussed. Many Off
GERS believe the present 14-inch SOCIAL
ibre weapons of the Pennsylvania 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 the larger weapons, without radical
increase in displacement.
There are other naval officers and
officials, however, who believe the 16-
inch rife completed and tested last
year with satisfactory results should
go on the new ships. and still others
who argue for 17-inch gun.
In answering the question PROFOUND
I'd by Congress, the Secretary declares
for the superdreadnaught as the most
efficient weapon. ship for ship. in any
navy He serves warning, however
that a fleet composed exclusively of
dreadnaughtS must meet defeat at the
hands of a better balanced organiza-
ton, properly equipped with battle
cruisers scout cruisers and subma-
rines.
The prime military characteristics
to be determined, the statement says
are the offensive power of a ship, as
represented by guns, torpedoes, ETC.,
and the defensive power, expressed in
terms of armor and cruising radius.
Much of the departments informa-
tion," continues the statement, "in re
gard to the details affecting the eff
cheney of belligerent ships is in the
form of confidential reports which ii
would be contrary to the public inter
ests to make public in any way. There
are. however, several conclusions
which can be laid down.
1.-THE first and most important lesson
is that the British grand fleet, COM
posed not only of dreadnaughts and
superdreadnaughts, but also of battle
cruisers, light cruisers, destroyers.
submarines and auxilaries, has to date
maintained command of the sea, there
by assuring to Great Britain and her
allies communication with all parts of
of the world and reasonably safe over
sea transport for her military forces
and supplies, at the same TINT denying
similar advantages to her adversaries.
1t is fnurther known that, despite the
efforts of submarines and other minor
craft, the losses of this fleet has 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
feet fifteen capital ships, together with
a corresponding and adequate number
of vessels of other types. All of this
indicates conclusively that the COM
mand of the sea, with the attendant
security of the shores of a country ex-
ercising that command, rests with the
power possessing ships which in the
aggregate have a preponderance in
the prime military characteristics emu
merated above"
Congress asks also for report on
the naval value of aircraft and after
long discussion setting forth the need
of battle cruisers in the navy, the Sec
rotary says of aeroplanes, dirigibles
and balloons:
MY conclusions are that all these
types of aircraft, each in its particular
feld,have demonstrated their undoubt-
ed value for the observation and scout
ing purposes. 1t is regretted that in
this. as in other subjects pertaining to
the lessons of the prevailing European
war. the greater part of the depart
ment's information is in the form of
confidential reports"
See Mr.. and Mrs. Vernon Castle at
Republic, Thursday. adv. 1tdl5
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