The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-14
DANIELS SPLAN.
Will ProbRbI Favor n Five Year
building Progra u, me.

Buitdtng Program ~ me-.
WAsutNGToS. Oct. 13.-Sccretary
Daniels said to-day that there has not
Yet been any decision as to the number
of ships or total amount of money to be
asked OF Congress for the navy this
year. He is now bordering the plan Of
submitting to Congress a programme
for expansion of the navy to cover a
period of five years. and it is probable
that his estimates will contain recon-
mendations for such "A continuing pro-
gramme.
The idea was suggested to lie Secre-
tary by Representative Padg,tt, chair
man of the House Committee on Naval
Affairs. though Mr.. Padgett wanted n
ten year programme. Five years would
cover the last fiscal year of the present
Administration and the entire period OF
the second Wilson Administration. for
which high officials are now openly
planning. In fact. the five year pro
gramme is recommended by some spe-
officially on the ground that 1t would
mar out what Woodrow Wilson could do
for the navy.
Mr.. Daniels said to-day he was not
prepared tn announce whether or not
such "A programme would provide for
equal expenditures in each of the five
years. 1t was pointed out to Mr.
Daniels that In 1903 the General Board
OF he navy adopted a continuing pro
RAM for a period Of twelve years.
which would have given "A fleet OF forty.
sight battleships in 1919. hut that this
programme has not been followed en-
tlrely by the Navy Department n sun
less by Congress.
Mr.. Daniels believes. however. that
while 1t ~ impossible to bind future Ad-
piGTratinp ~ fttn,.a TnppraGgag AZ hs
a obtain CONGRESSES assent TO "A five
year programme II will prove a strong
moral force and probably result in the
programme being generally adhered 10
in later years.
Mr.. Daniels said to-day that I'm 1872,
the nayY wou have seventeen battle
ships of the first line of defence and
thirteen OF the second line. The second
line is made up of battleshps more Than
10 years old, while Il has been the policy
to check Off battleships aitoeether after
they become more thar 90 years old.
These figures make allowances for re-
tirements and include all battleships
butt, building or authorized.
The two authorized last winter have
not yet been contracted for. and as IT
takes about three years to build battle
ships they probably Will not be ready un-
til 1919. Battleships authorized neNt
year probably will not be ready until
late in 1911? or early IN 1890.
Consequently unless six battleships
are authorized by Congress in zach of
the next three years the navy will not
have forty-eight ba;;leships by 1899.
which is three years later than the Gen
eral Board planned to have a fleet Of
forty-eight battleships.
II Is generally understood that not
more than four capital ships will he
asked for this year, of which probably
two will be battle cruisers. II is con-
sidcrcd possible that Mr.. Daniels will
ask for only three capital ships. in which
case only II will he a battle cruiser.
Ii Is Mr.. Daniels's intention 10 pro-
also for vessels Of other classes rs
well as battlcships and battle cruisers.
The nav Is most deficient IN scouts, de-
stroycrs and submarines.
Attention is called tn the fact that
large increases in battlcship construc-
ton must result In pro~portionatc in
Crcascs in other construction. These in
crcascs also compel large increases in
personnel. The navy is already with
on, sufficient personnel to keep In COM
mission the vessels now in existence.
Increased expenditures for shore sta
tons. navy yards, arscnals M other
works also are required. These are all
very expensive and that Is one reason
why naval experts are not looking for
large Increases in new construction APP
preparations this year.
l. Is generally expected that the naval
budget which Mr., Daniels will ask for
this year will he about $50, n0o, 900,
which H. $4,000. 600 more han that
provided last winter.
II is interesting that despite the
countrywide agitation for an improved
national defence and official statements
as to ADEQUATE dcfcnCcs the great
body OF laval and army men IN Wash
inGton are not anticipating
dations for immediate radical increases
in appropriations for either the army or
the navy. The prediction has been
made by army and navy officers I'm
Washington for weeks that he Admin
istration probably would present pro-
grammcs which would have certain
spectacular features but which would
constitute no great increase in the sub
stance of either the army or the navy.
Despite the fact that two months ago
Secretary GARRISON completed the
formulation of a new and complete pro-
gramnc for the military establishment
and the fact that Secretary Daniels has
had the naval building programme un-
der consideration for months. no tiual
decisions have been made which will
permit the compilation of the estimates
of either department for forwarding Ia
the Treasury for ultimate presentation
10 Congress. Consequently both depart
ments will fail this yea TO meet the re-
Quiremeuts of the law unless there is
most extraordinary activity within the
neNt two DAYS.