Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-15
uper-Dreadnaughts Of Cali
fornia Type Nearly
Reach Ideal
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Daniels Reply to Congress is Based
on Information Gained From Eu-
ropean Conflict

Washington, Dec. 15-Super-D Dread
aoughts of the California class, dis
placing $4,000 tons, are declared to
represent the high water mark in the
size of American battleships, in a
statement presented to Congress by
Secretary Daniels.
"It would be unwise," the statement
says, "to build Dreadnoughts so large
that they could not easily pass
through the Panama Canal. 1t is al
so believed that, in view of the in
creased efficiency Of the tropedo, the
very extensive use Of mines and the
bombs from aircraft, it is decidedly
better to increase the fighting units
in numbers rather than in size, the
high-water mark in size having been
reached in vessels of the California
class"
The statement was submitted to
Congress in response to requirement
IF the last naval appropriation bill
hat Congress be furnished with re-
port of Building four warships of
The type power and speed which, in
MS (the secretary's) judgment based
on knowledge gained from the pre-
yailing war in Europe, are best suit
ed for war on the sea"
In his reply, Mr.. Daniels apparent
y brings to close the debate which
las been agitating the Navy Depart
nent for many weeks as to the gene
al characteristics of the first battle
ships to be recommended under the
administrations five-year-building
olan. Tentative plans for 36,000-ton
ship, armed with siXteen-inch or per-
naps seventeen-inch guns, have been
discussed. Many officers believe the
present sixteen-inch, 50-calibre wea-
pom of the California and Arizona to
be ample since the ships will carry
a dozen of these against ten, at least,
of the other weapons. There are Off
cials, however, who believe the four
teen-inch rifle completed and tested
last year with satisfactory >:resuits.
should go on the new ships, and still
1thers- argue, for, a seventeen inch gun.
In answering the question pro-
pounded by Congress, the secretary
declares the super-Dreadnought is
the most efficient weapon. ship for
ship, in any navy. He serves warning
however, that a! fleet composed ex-
clusively Of Dreadnoughts must meet
defeat at the hands of better bal
anced Organization properly equip
ped with battle cruisers, scouting
craft and submarines.
The prime military characteristics
to be determined, the statement says
are the offensive power OF a ship, as
expressed by guns, torpedoes, etc.
and defensive power, expressed in
tens of power or of cruising radius.
Much of the departments infor
nation, continues the statement, iii
regard to the details affecting the ef
iciency of the belligerent hips is il
the form of confidential reports, which
it would be contrary to the public in
terests to make public in any way
There are. however, several conclu
sions which can be laid down.
"The first and most important les
CON is that the British grand Ree
composed, not only of Ddeadnought
and super-Dreadnoughts, but also c
battle cruisers, light cruisers, des
trovers. submarines and auxiliarie
, lhas to date maintained command I
the sea. 1t is further known tha
! despite the efforts of submarines ar
other minor craft, the losses Of tn
q feet have not been serious.
"Another notable fact was brougl
+ out by the statement of the Fir
Lord of the Admiralty to ParliameI
in November, 1914, that by the ell
of 1915 there would have been add
J. to the fleet thirteen capital ships, t
I tgether with corresponding and ad
/. quate number of vessels of. oth'
:: types. All sof this indicates conclu:
Vely that. the command of the sc