New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
Congress Expected to Add
More Ships than
Daniels Asked.
YARDS ENOUGH,
ASSERT CRITICS
Secretary's Proposal for Auxil-
iaries a Blow to Fighting
Efficiency.
From It's Tribune Bureau J

Washington, Dec. 25.-The publica-
ton Of the unbiased recommendation
Of the General Board OF the Navy De-
partment, though timed to find the pub
lie preoccupied with other things than
arms and warships, nevertheless ere
ated a decided stir among naval officers
and all others interested in an adequate
defence. The fact that the Secretary
had felt called on to scale the building
programme 70 figure which he himself
sets at a third Of what the naval ex-
nerts consider a minimum caused
fresh outburst Of the criticism against
him.
Even the General Boards programme
calling for ffty-seven dreadnoughts, In
Guiding battle cruisers, by 1925, IS de-
clared by students Of naval affairs 10
fall far short Of the rule laid down IN
the boards opening paragraphs, that
the United States navy should by 1873
be "eoual 70 that of any other nation.
Lacking the detailed information on
which the board built its recommenda-
tons, however, the students agree that
they are unable to Judge accurately
whether or not larger navy would De
needed TO meet any feet that might
be sent against the United States and
thew are prepared to stand on the
boord,s nlan as a fair measure Of what
should be done.
Plan Too Big for Congress.
{ In spite Of the growing sentiment Tor
really adequate preparedness. few OF
the Congress leaders who are in the
city hope that It will be possible 10
force the adoption of any such plan as
the board lays down. though they have
distinct hopes Of materially increasing
the Daniels programme. Several OF the
leading Senators in both parties are IN
favor of at least one additional battle
ship a year, and few hope that they
can induce Congress 10 agree on three
battle cruisers yearly as well.
There is also a growing belief that
RE personnel authorized will be nearer
the General Boards recommendations OF
II 900 men than Mr.. Dsnisls's Of 5000
and $500 apprentices. Il Is felt that to
fail 20 make the most out Of the fleet
now available would be the worst posi-
bic sort of economy.
The objection raised by Mr.. Daniels
that there are not enough shipyards In
this country 20 undertake the building
Of such feet as the board recommends
is given little weight. In the first place
II is pointed out that the board gave
consideration 10 this problem and ar
rived at a conclusion very different
from the secretary's. In the second
place, Mr. Daniels himself has recon-
mended that the government navy
yards be equipped for the building OF
more ships, and no reason Is seen why
II the government will attack the prob
lem with real earnestness, this country
cannot provide for an even larger
building programme than the boards
Britain's mothers" Speedy.
The full allowance Of auxiliaries
which the board recommends comes IN
for particular attention. The provid-
ing Of ships fit 10 act as either repair
ships or mothers" 70 submarines and
tornedo craft cannot be done in the
fer, DAYS that would elapse between
the time OF the outbreak of war and
the actual need Of the fleet in war
formation on the high seas.
For the destroyers' auXiliarles IN par
ticular terrific speed is needed, and
il Is reported that the Ariad and other
ships Of that class, which act as flag
ships and mothers" 70 the English
destroyers, are among the fastest yes
sells Of any size in the world
The building of such vessels is q
matter of at least two years, and only
the most highly trained crews can
handle their delicate engines efficiently
For Mr.. Daniels to cut down the pro
pramme for these ships is declared
Serious blow TO the fighting efficiency
Of the navy, though it does not de
crease the armament by a single gun.
Without them the best of destroyers
and submarines are tied 70 a very mar
row radius of action. and the boards
recommendations along this line par
ticulary will be pushed with the ut