The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-12-07

marines, IS coast submarines. one
gun boat. and one fuel ship, the third
year. tUo battleships, one battle
cruiser. two scout cruisers Eve de-
strCycrs. two fleet submarines and
] . coast SUMMARIZES. the fourth year.
two battleshipss two battle cruisers.
two scout cruisers. 10 destroyers TWO
fleet submarines, n coast submarines.
one ammunition ship, and one fuel
oil ship. and the ffth year. two bat
tie ships. one battle cruiser. two
scout cruisers. 10 destr0y"rs. two
fleet submarines. 10 coast submarines.
enc gurboat one ammunition ship.
and one repair ship.
The secretary of the navy is ask
ing also for the immediate addition
To tho personnel Of the navy OF 500
sailors. $500 apprentice se1men. and
800 marines This increase would
le sufficient 10 care for the ships
which arc to be completed within the
Gsfa nj wear 1917 and also for the num-
Der, OF men which must he put IN
training 20 man the ships which viii
he completed early in 1918. ~ is also
necessary that the number ~ mid
shipmeu at the naval academy AZ
Annapolis should be increased by at
least 800 10 order that the force Of
officers should he more rapidly add
ed to, and authority is asked 90 APP
point. FOR engineering dirties only. ap-
proved graduates Of engineering COL
lcEc and for service in the aviation
corps certain number Of men taken
from civil life.
Merchant Marine Needed.
n this full program should be car
ried out we should have built or
building in 1921. according 10 the cR-
Inmates OF survival and standards Of
ClasgihCation followed nv the general
board ri the department. an effect
i've navy conspfing u 81 battleships
- battle hips ~ the second line. 10
armorct cruisers, 10 scout cruisers.
five first lass cruisers. three second
class cruiFerg. 10 third-Class cruise g.
los dcNtoyr re. - fleet submarines
t57 coast subwarincs siY monitors
~ gunhoats, four supply ships. IS
fuai Ehius. four transport. three ten
dcrs 90 tOrpedo vessels eight vessels
or special types. ard two arnmuni-
ton ships This would Do a navy 1T
ted 20 our needs and worthy % our
traditions.
BUT armies and instruments 81 war
are oti ~ part OF what has to- hn con-
siderri n We are 20 cons der Tho su-
prruc matter - national self-suft
cheney and security tn al it, as
poets There ar" other great mat
tors whigl viii be thrust upon our
atten iau whether We viii OF not
f'tTc ie for example. n very press
ing question - trade and shipping
involved Ir mis- great problem of
rtry for many Weichty reasons ~
IafiDuHf efficiency and development
'rat vn should have great mer-
chant marine. The great merchant
Hs.f we once used 90 make us rich.
f'lI great body OF sturdy sailors who
used o. carry our Nae 90 every sea.
FUd wi, were the pride aud often
fH" h4IWtrk ~ the nation. We have
almost driven out Of existence by In
eNrueable NEGLECT ard Indifference
rrd hy hrpeisaely blind and pro-
viu..al policy of sp-talled economic
protection. 70 is high time We re
pair % our ri-tH kr and resumed our
commercial Independence on the seas.
fHie uI.r i'g innings ad aesuwe %
For ~ .f question ~ independ
crre. 90 otHnr nations go Go war or
sock 90 hammer each others Con-
u.cr.r. uUr urr.hiufs. 10 seems. .rr
1f their mercy. t0 Ip with as they
r ease. w u-rt use their ships. and
use them Goo they determine We
: sc nor ships sroIgh - our own
Wc Caunuf ban. our own com.
fnerrr on tho sens Oar indie penderre
- pro, inclni. and O. oaiy on land nm =
'fthn our own borders. We arc not
likely 10 he permitted Co use even
the ships Of 90 'er nations In riNsiry
20 their own trade. md sre without
urn1--fo -rte-d- suF commerce sr~n
where the doors nrr wide open md
our goods desired. such 70 situation
- not 60 he endured. II is ~ capita
b Importance not only that tho United
states should be its own carrier on
tho seas and enjoy the economic in
which only an adequate