The state herald., 1915-12-10

1
carried out; but II does make definite
and explicit a program which has
heretofore been only implicit, held in
the minds Of the two committees on
naval affairs and disclosed In the de.
bates OF the two houses but nowhere
formulated or formally adopted. 1t
seems to me very clear that 1t will be
to the advantage of the country for
the congress to adopt comprehen.
sive plan for putting the navy upon
final footing Of strength and efil-
cheney and to press that plan to com
pletion within the next five years
We have always looked to the navy Of
the country as our first and chief
line OF defense; we have always seen
1t to be our manifest course of pru.
dence to be strong on the seas. Year
by year we have been creating a navy
which now ranks very high indeed
among the navies of the maritime ma
tions. We should now definitely de-
termine how we shall complete what
We have begun, and how soon.
The program to be laid before you
contemplates the construction within
five years OF ten battleships. six bat
tie cruisers, ten scout cruisers. fifty
destroyers. fifteen feet submarines.
eighty-hve coast submarines, four gun.
boats. one hospital ship. two ammuni-
tion ships. two fuel oil ships. and one
regular repair ship. 1t is proposed
that of this number we shall the first
| year provide for the construction OF
two battleships, two battle cruisers,
three scout cruisers. fiften destroyers,
five feet submarines, twenty-five coast
submarines, two gunboats, and one
hospital ship; the second year. two
battleships. one scout cruiser. ten de-
stroyers. four feet submarines. fifteen
coast submarines. one gunboat. and
one fuel oil ship. the third year. two
battleships, one battle cruiser. two
scout cruisers. five destroyers. two
fleet submarines. and fifteen Bast
submarines. sthe fourth year. twoAat
tleships, two battle cruisers. two scout
cruisers. ten destroyers. two feet sub.
marines. fifteen coast submarines, one
ammunition ship. and one fuel oil
ship: and the fifth year, two battle
ships. one battle cruiser. two scout
cruisers. ten destroyers, two feet sub
marines. fifteen coast submarines. one
gunboat. one ammunition ship, and
one repair ship.
More Men for the Navy.
The secretary OF the navy is asking
also for the Immediate addition to the
personnel OF the navy OF 1900 sail
ors, 1900 apprentice seamen, and
1900 marines. This increase would
be sufficient to care for the ships
which are TO be completed with.
in the fiscal year 1917 and also for the
number OF men which must be put In
training TO man the ships which will
he completed early In 1918. II is also
necessary that the number OF midship
men AT the Naval academy at Annap
oils should be increased by at least
three hundred
II this full program should be ear.
ried out we should have bull, or build.
ing In 1921. according to the estimates
OF survival and standards OF classih.
cation followed by the general board
OF the department. an effective navy
consisting of % battleships. OF the first
line, battle cruisers. 25 battieships
OF the second line, 10 armored cruis.
ers, ~ scout cruisers, nrst-class
cruisers. ) sccondclHss cruisers. 10
third-class cruisers. los destroyers. IS
] - 81.
6 monitors . 20 Eunboats, 4 supply
ships. rs fuel ships. transports.
] tenders 10 torpedo vessels. s yes.
sells Of special types. and ammuni-
tion ships. This would be n navy NJ.
ted to our needs and worthy Of our
traditions
Hut armies and instruments OF war
are only part Of what has 10 he con.
sidcrcd n We are to consider the su.
preme matter Of national self sum cien.
~ and security In all It's aspects.
There are other great matters which
viii be thrun, upon our attention
whether We viii or not There Ia. for
example. a very pressing question OF
trade and shipping involved In this
great problem OF national adequacy.
u IN necessary for many weighty rea.
sons OF national efficiency and deyei.
opment that We should have great
merchant marine.
II In high tim. We repaired our mis-.
take and resumed our commercial lndo.
pcndence on the seas
Need Of Merchant Marine.
For II II n question Of indcpcnd.
.ncc. n other nations go TO war or
seek TO hamper each others com.
mcrce. our merchants. II aocma. are
at their mercy. 10 do with an they
please We must uHe their ships. and
use them an they determine, Wa have
not ships enough Of our own We
cannot handle our own commerce on
the seas Our Independence Ia proyin,
clai. and IL only on land and within
our own borders wo are not likely
10 be permitted 10 use even the ships