The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-08

.SSAGE.
clear that ft WIN be to tho advantage
Of the country Tor the congress to adopt
= comprehensive plan for putting the
navy upon a dnal footing Of strength
and efficiency and to press that plan
to completion within the next Eve
years. We have always looked to the
navy OF the country rs our first and
chief line Of defense: we have always
seen It to be our manifest course Of
prudence to be strong on the seas.
Year by year we have been creating
navy which now ranks very high In
deed among the navies Of the maritime
We should now definitely de-
termine how we shall complete what
We have begun and how soon.
Tho Navy Program.
The program to be laid before You
contemplates the construction within
i've years OF ten battleships, six bat
tie cruisers, ten scout cruisers. fifty
destroyers, fifteen feet submarines,
eighty-iye coast submarines. four gun
boats, one hospital ship. two ammuni-
ton ships, two fuel oil ships and one
repair ship. II 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 Destroyer, Eve feet submarines.
twenty-five coast submarines. two gun
boats and one hospital ship: the second
year two battleships, one scout cruiser.
ten destroyers, four feet submarines.
fifteen coast submarines, one gunboat
and one fuel oil ship: the third year
two battleships. one battle cruiser, two
scout cruisers, Eve destroyers, two feet
submarines and fifteen coast subma-
rines: the fourth year two battleships,
two battle cruisers. two scout cruisers.
ten destroyers, two aeet submarines,
fifteen coast submarines. one ammuni-
tion ship and one fuel oil ship. and
the fifth year two battleships, one bat
tie cruiser, two scout cruisers, ten de-
stroyers. two feet submarines. fifteen
coast submarines, one gunboat, one am
munition ship and one repair ship.
The secretary OF the navy Is asking
also for the immediate addition to the
personnel Of the navy Of 1900 sailors.
1850 apprentice seamen and L500 ma
rines. This increase would be sufi-
cient 10 care for the ships which are
to be completed within the fiscal year
1917 and also for the number Of men
which must be put in training to man
the ships which will be completed
early In 1918. It Is also necessary that
the number Of midshipmen at the Ma
val academy at Annapolis should be
increased by at least 300 In order that
the force Of officers should be more
rapidly added to, and authority is ask.
ed to appoint, FOR engineering duties
only. approved graduates of engineer.
Ing colleges. and for service In the avi.
alton corps q certain number OF men
taken from civil life.
/ II this full program should be carried
out we should have built or building In
1921. according to the estimates Of sur
vval and standards OF classification
followed by the general board of the
department, an effective navy consist
ing Of q battleships OF the first line,
battle cruisers, Is battleships Of the
second line. 10 armored cruisers. 1;
scout cruisers, first class cruisers.
second class cruisers. 10 third class
cruisers. 108 destroyers, Is feet sub
marines, 157 coast submarines. 6 mon
itors, 20 gunboats, 4 supply ships. 1;
fuel ships. 4 transports. 8 tenders tt
torpedo vessels, 8 vessels of specia
types and two ammunition ships. Thi.
would be . navy fitted to our need.
and worthy of our traditions.
| But armies and instruments of wa,
are only part Of what has to be con
sidered II we are to consider the su
preme matter Of national self suf1cien
cy and security in all its aspects
There are other great matters whicl
viii be thrust upon our attention
whether we will or not. There is, 70
example. very pressing question o
trade and shipping involved In thi
| great problem Of national adequacy
It b necessary for many weighty rea
sons Of national efficiency and devel
opment that we should have a grea
merchant marine. The great merchan
fleet we once used to make US rich
that great body Of sturdy sailors VIII
used to carry our flag into every sea
and who were the pride and often tn
bulwark Of the nation. we have almos
driven out Of existence by inexcusabl
neglect and indifference and by hope
lessly blind and provincial policy o
SO called economic protection. It i
high time We repaired our mistake an
resumed our commercial independents
on the seas.
Ships Of Peace Needed.
i For Il Is q question of independence
II other nations go to war or seek
hamper each others commerce GU
merchants. 1t seems. are at their mel
cy to do with as they please. We mus
use their ships and use them as the