New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-04
WORLDS BIGGEST
BATTLE CRUISERS
PLANNED FOR U.S..
Ships Of $4,000 Tons. with
Speed of 80 Knots, TO
Be Recommended.
l7.OOO-TON SCOUT
VESSELS WANTED
Only 5000 More Men Will 81
Asked for Navy-Wilson TO
Consider Bill To-day.
Hmm ID. Tribune Rureau J

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Oct. "a squadron OF
four battle cruisers, OF greater arma-
ment and speed than any in existence
will be recommended to Congress at
the approaching session. This type II
was learned tonight. has now been
perfected BY naval experts, and the
long experimental period during which
the naval board opposed the building
of battle cruisers has passed. 1t Is not
known whether Congress or the Presi-
dent or Secretary will be willing TO
have all these ships authorized at this
session Of Congress. because OF the
financial pinch. but it is strongly hoped
that the construction of four Will be
authorized because battle cruisers. ac-
cording TO naval strategy, can be used
most effectively in squadrons of four
The ships are 20 be Of $4,000 tons.
or as heavy as the biggest American
superdreadnoughts, with twelve l4-lncn
Guns, and with speed OF tnlrty nv
Knots which is much faster than thaI
of the battle cruisers when TOOK par
in the engagement IN when tne Ut ~
man cruiser BlGcher was SUNK. Inc
f4-inch guns of the cruisers VIII have
a range equal to, il not greater thah'
that OF the l5-inch guns in use on Eng
lish battle cruisers, and are considerel
by experts Of the Navy Department 10
be much superior 10 the 15-inch gun.
The actual weight Of metal whiGn
these battle cruisers could throw wouiH
be much greater than that whicn can
be thrown by the British type OF cruis-
ers. as they would have twelve la-inch
ouns. as compared with only eight 10
inch guns on the British ships.
Armor Only Five Inches Thick.
In order to get the tremendous speed
desired the nrmor will be shaved TO me
minimum. Ii will be only five inches
thick over the most vital parts OF the
cruiser. I'll, -
Tho cost of these cruisers Will be
about the same, naval experts hgure'
as that of battleships-abou' S1o'-
0G0.O00.
In addition TO the battle cruisers and
dreadnoughts, big scout cruisers WI.
lac recommended. This type Will be OF
about 10000 to 1900 tons. capable. OF
very high speed. and will carry rev
i4-inch guns. As this type Of snip Is
more or less experimental. 1t IS not
considered probable by navy experts
that more than one will be authorized
lv Congress. This type of ship Will
cost. il is figured. about S5.OOO,VOO.
The increase in the number of men
in the navy which will be asked Will be
much less. it is learned. than has been
expecteG in some quarters. Instead o.
anv such figure as 10000 men. when
has been mentioned repeatedly. u was
said that 5000 more men would De
asked for and $500 more apprentices.
The cost for each man in the navy Is
figured at 800 a year. while that OF
apprentices is figured at $3.50, so thai.
this increase would mean jump OF
about S4.375 900 in the annual cost.
President 10 Consider Bill.
Several other navy Improvements.
such as the building of submarines,
auxiliary ships. torpedo boat destroy
crs. changes in the Pearl Harbor Ha-
waii. drydock. and the carrying on OF
the building programme authorized
last year. will compllcate the prob
lens facing the administration. Some
solution of these questions is expect
ed 10 be made at a conference to-mor-
row between the President, Secre-
tary Daniels and Chairman Lemuel +.
Padgett Of the House Naval Affairs
Committee. who will consider the naval
bill before il is presented 20 either
house Of Congress. The conference IS
not expected TO be more than an eN-
change of ideas which will form the
basis of further consideration. the
estimate of the department does not
have 10 be in the hands Of the Secre-
tarv Of the Treasury before October 10.
Later In the week the President will
discuss the army appropriation bill
with Secretary Garrison. Chairman
Hay, of the House Military Affairs
Committee. and Chairman Chamber
lain. of the Senate Military Affairs
Committee, have been invited 70 at
tend the conference.
Under the combined auspices OF the
National Defence League, the Navy
League, and the National Rife Asso-
citation. a conference on national de
fence will begin at the Willard Hotel
here tomorrow. Colonel David J.
Palmer, retiring commander-in-chief Of
tn Grand Army of the Republic, and
hundreds Of other veterans who have
remained over, will attend. The speak
ers will include Colonel Palmer Sem
ator Robert Broussard, Of louisiana;
..epresentative Dyer. of st. Louis, COM
mander-in-chief OF the United Spanish
War Veterans; General II. Oden Lake,
national commander Of the Army and
Navy rnion. Governor Emmet O,Zoale.
of Alabama. and Professor William
Libbey. Of Princeton University, presi-
dent Of the National Rife Association.
Tuesday will be Navy Day, and
National Defence Luncheon" will oe
held. The conference is expected %
adopt resolutions strongly favoring