The Detroit times., 1915-12-07

marines, Is coast submarines. one
| gun boat. and one fuel ship: the third
year. two battieships. one battle
| cruiser, two scout cruisers. five d.
| stroyers. two fleet submarines and
| Is coast submarines. the fourth year
| two battleships. two battle cruisers
| two scout cruisers. 10 destroyers two
| feet submarines. Is coast submarines
one ammunition ship. and one fuel
oil ship: ard the NTH year, two bat
| tie ships. one battle cruiser. two
scout cruisers. 10 destroyers. two
ficet submarines, 15 coast submarines,
one gurboat,. one ammunition ship,
and one repair ship.
The secretary Of the navy II ask
ing also for the immediate addition
10 the personnel OF the navy OF 1900
sailors. $500 apprentice seamen. and
1900 marines. This increase would
be sufficient to care for the ships
which are TO be completed within the
fiscal year 1917 and also for the num-
ber OF men which must be put in
training 10 man the ships which will
he completed early in 1918 II Is also
necessary that the number Of mid
shipmen az the naval academy at
least 800 in order that the force OF
officers should be more rapidly add
ed to. and authority is asked 10 APP
point. for engineering duties only. ap-
legcs and for service In the aviation
corps a certain number OF men taken
from civil life.
Merchant Marine Needed.
~ this full program should be car
ried out we should have built or
building in 1921. according 10 the es-
Inmates of survival and standards OF
classi hcation followed by the general
board OF the department.. an effect
i've navy consisting OF 27 battieships
of the nrst line; six battle cruisers:
armOred cruisers. l3 scout cruisers.
fvo nrst-class cruisers. three second
class cruisers. 10 third-class cruisers
los dest0yers. 1s feet submart mes.
i57 coast submarines. SIX monitors,
90 gUnbOsts. four supply ships. Is
fuel ships. four transports. three ten
ders 20 torpedo vessels eight vessels
Of special types, and two amnuni-
ton ships This would be navy it-
ted 10 our needs and worthy OF our
traditions.
Hut armies and Instruments OF war
are only part OF what has 10 be con-
sidered II We are 90 consider the su-
prene matter OF national self-sufh-
cheney and security In all It's as
pects There are other great mat
attention whether we will or not
There o. for example, n very press
Ing question Of trade and shipping
involved IN this great problem OF
sary FOR many weigh,y reasons Of
ratlonal efficiency and development
| that we should have great mer-
chant marine The great mercha nj
feet we once used 90 make US rich.
that great body Of sturdy sailors who
ueed 70 carry our flag 90 every sea.
md who were the pride and often
| the bulwark of the nation. we have
| almost driven out OF existence ny In
| exCupable neglect and indifference
| and by hopeleSsly blind and pro-
| vincial policy OF so-called economic
! protection. II IL high time we re-
paired our mistake and resumed our
| commercial Independence on the seas.
| take SUCH beginnings nd assums the
For " Is question OF independ-
| ence. If other nations go 20 war or
| seek 20 hamper each others COM
| rnerce, our merchants. " seems. are
at their mercy. to do with as they
please. We must use their ships. and
! use them ~ they determine. We
have not ships enough OF our own
| We cannot hand . our own com
! unerce on tho seas. Our fnde pc n IL N e~
L. prov tnciai. and o.. only ON land md
/ vithiu our own borders. We are not
! ukefy 60 he permitted 10 us~ even
| the ships OF other nations tn rivstry
| 80 their own trade. and are withou,
means Co extend our commerce ever
| where the doors are wide open md
our goods desired. such n situation
- not to he endured. n II % capital
| Importance not only that the United
| states should be It's own carrier on
the seas and enjoy the economic In
dependence which only an adequate