The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-12-10


we have begun and how soon.
The program to be laid before you
contemplates the construction within
five years Of ten battleships, six battle
cruisers. ten scout cruisers, fifty de
stroyers, fifteen feet submarines,
eighty-6ve coast submarines, four gun
boats, one hospital ship, two ammuni
ton ships. two fuel oil ships and one
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,
fifteen destroyers, five feet submarines,
twenty-five coast submarines, two gun
boats and one hospital ship; the second
year two battleships, one scout cruiser,
ten destroyers. four fleet 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 coast subma-
rines; the fourth year two battleships,
two battle cruisers, two scout cruisers.
ten destroyers. two fleet submarines,
fifteen coast submarines, one ammuni-
ton 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
muniton 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,
$500 apprentice seamen and 1,500 ma
rines. This increase would be sui
cient to 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. 1t 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 avn
alton corps a certain number Of men
taken from civil life.
If this full program should be carried
out we should have built or building in
1921. according to the estimates of sur
vival and standards Of classification
followed by the general board of the
department, an effective navy consist
ing of ~ battleships of the first line, 4
battle cruisers, % battleships of the
second line, 10 armored cruisers. 10
scout cruisers, ) first class cruisers. )
second class cruisers. 10 third class
cruisers, los destroyers, Is fleet sub.
marines. lJ7 coast submarines, mon
itors, 20 gunbOats. 4 supply ships. 10
fuel ships. 1 transports, 3 tenders to
torpedo vessels. 8 vessels Of special
types and two ammunition ships. This
would be q navy fitted to our needs
and worthy of our traditions.
But armies and Instruments of war
are only part of what has to be en-
preme matter of national self sutlicien-
cy and security in all its aspects.
There are Other great matters which
will be thrust upon our attention
whether we will or not. There is, for
example. very pressing question of
trade and shipping involved in this
great problem Of national adequacy.
1t is necessary for many weighty rea-
SonS of national efficiency and devel-
opuIent that we should have great
merchant marine. The great merchant
feet we once used to make us rich.
that great body of sturdy sailors who
used to carry our flag into every sea,
and who were the pride and often the
| bulwark of the nation, we have almost
driven out of existence by ineXcusable
neglect and indifference and by hope
lessly blind and provincial policy Of
so called economic protection. 1t is
high time we repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence
| on the seas.
With view to meeting these press
| ing necessities of our commerce and
awaiting ourselves at the earliest posi-
bic moment Of the present unparalleled
opportunity of linking the two Ameri-
cas- together in bonds of mutual inter
est and service, an opportunity which
may never return again if we miss it
now, proposals will be made to the
present congress for the purchase or
construction of ships to be owned and
directed by the government similar to
| those made to the last congress, but
modified in some essential particulars
| recommend these proposals to you
| for your prompt acceptance with the
more confidence because every month
/ that has elapsed since the former pro
posals were made has made the ne
cessity for such action more and more
manifestly imperative. That need was
then foreseen. 1t is now acutely felt
and everywhere realized by those for
whom trade is waiting, but who can
find no conveyance for their goods.
am not so much interested in the par
ticulars of the program as | am in
taking immediate advantage of the
great opportunity which awaits us if
we will but act in this emergency. In
this matter. as in all others, a spirit of