Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-20
BEST WARsH|p, ON
9ARTH IS DEMAND
UNITED STATES
car-GdmiraI BADGER Says
Japan is Laying Out Man,
moth Program
BY c. S.. ALBERT

Especial Star Bulletin oorrespondence)
WASHINGTON. ID. c., Dec. S.-The
naval program proposed for this SEES
ficn OF Congress, in furtherance OF
the better preparedness policy, in
Guides 20 new vessels, in addition TO
wh,4h ere suggestions for the largest
rhio af!cat, which Congress, in the
naval bill passed last session, asked
s,ecrt .ary Daniels to submit. 1t is es-
tmsted that this ship would be limit
ed TO a displacement Of 10000 tons
in order to 90 through the Panama
canal, and cost, without armament,
fTcm s30,000,000 to $35,000,000.
The preparedness program as esti-
mated for this session, will require
additional expenditures, exclusive OF
the giant battleship, amounting to
from $11 5000, 900 to S130,000,000. This
includes three battleships. costing
!I6.000,00e each; one battle cruiser
costing $20,000,000; three scout cruis-
frs costing $6,000,000 each; 10 destroy
>trs. costing 81, 100000 each; four fleet
syEnarines, costing s1,0O0.000 each;
eoast submarines, costing 100000
Zach: one submarine tender and one
destroyer tender.
Il I'm in favor of making our fight
ing ships in the future" said Chair
man Padgett, lust a little stronger.
bigger and better, equipped with
thicker armor and larger guns with
i,reater power, and manned by better
men with better aim, than any other
nation in the world. ] am not content
with Just stopping when we equal
what has been done somewhere else.
Rear Admiral Badger of the General
Board Of the Navy told the House Ma
vel Affairs Committee that Japan is
building a larger, more powerful and
awifter battleship than any thus far
lsuilt or provided for in the American
ravy. He said the Japanese ship viii
ave a main battery of twelve 15-inch
CT l6-inch guns against twelve 14-inc.r
uns on American vessels now build
ing and eight 16-inch guns for ships
authorized last year.
Admiral Badger said the new build
'ng program of Japan includes three
lattleships, two battle cruisers, nine
light cruisers, seven destroyers. one
destroyer tender and eight subma-
lines.
Il don't believe this will change her
relative position among the nations.
he said.
The battleshtps proposed by the
General Board, Admiral Badger ex.
planned. called for twelve 16-incn
runs, a speed of % knots and dis
placement of 10000 tons He recon-
mended that the best ships possible
lie constructed without attempting
simply to equal the efforts of other
nations.
Representative Oliver asked Admir-
ri Badger why the General Board had
in the past recommended 14-inch guns
for the battle cruisers instead of 16-
inch guns. Admiral Badger declared
that the purpose was to keep these
ssssels to the lowest displacement
ALE keeping them speedy at the
me time. This could be done, he
A4d. with a saving in cost without
lowering efficiency.
The battle cruisers are not expect
ed to meet other than battle cruisers
he said. IT'S case of dog eat dog
Il believe" said Mr.. Oliver, 'that
there is a feeling in the house that it
would be wise to spend a few more
million dollars and get stronger guns
on these vessels