Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-10
U. s. NAVY MUST
CONTINUE TO GROW
Daniels Says Limitation of
Armaments Only Alterna-
tive to Big Increase.
ASKS FoRTY-TWo SHIPS

Washington, Dec. 9.-Until all ma
tions agree to reduce their armament,
the United States must continue to
increase its naval power Secretary
Daniels declares in his annual report,
made public tonight, and which urges
that funds be appropriated at once to
begin building forty-two additional
ships.
II feel it my duty to warn as
solcmnly as | may" the secretary says
after recting the huge expenditures
for the navy authorized at the last
session of congress, against the
danger that lies in possible feeling
on the part of our people that the
navy has now been attended to, has
been placed where it belongs, among
the great navies OF the world, and
there is nothing further to be done.
Complacent retrospection is the father
OF dry rot. We have made a magnih-
cent beginning, but that it must not
be forgotten by the public that the
same intelligent appreciation of our
needs. the same willingness to pro-
vide for these needs, must be shown
this year and every succeeding year
il we are to finish what we have COM
menced."
Hopes for Limitation.
Secretary Daniels recalls that the
1917 appropriation bill carries pro-
vision for a possible limitation OF
armament agreement.
Il earnestly hope the time is not
far distant when this act OF congress
will result in such an agreement" he
continues. "and that the nations OF
earth will have the craftsmanship to
devise effective means OF preserving
the worlds peace without constantly
building ever increasing dreadnaughts
at ever increasing cost. Until that
hour arrives the United States cannot
safely adopt any policy other than
that OF continuing the policy OF stead
lily increasing its naval strength"
Picturing the result OF construction
now contemplated, Secretary Daniels
says the main fighting elements OF the
feet, completed and in commission in
1921, will be twenty-seven dread
naughts OF the first line, supported
by six battle cruisers, twenty-five sec
ond line battleships, thirteen scout
cruisers, l08 destroyers, twelve feet
submarines and 1870 coast defense SUBJ
mersibles. While there is no possibil-
ity Of predicting what rank among
the naval powers the country will
then take, he adds, the authorization
OF such program has been accepted
as assurance that the United States
has definitely embarked on the policy
OF building an adequate navy.
Yards and Men Scarce.
The secretary devotes much atten-
ton to discussion Of the problems en-
countered by the department in get
ting the new ships laid down. Build
ing facilities and skilled labor are
lacking, he says, and the program he
has recommended for 1918, featured
by the three battlcships and one bat
tie cruiser, will tax private and public
plants to their utmost even with the
increased building equipment author
lied for navy yards. II was for that
reason. the secretary adds, that he
did not follow the general boards
recommendation and urge that the
four Of the six remaining battleships
OF the three-year program and both
OF the battle cruisers be laid down
at once.
Asks More Auxiliaries.
The board states in itslreport &C.
companying that of the secretary, that
its information as to building facilities
indicate the 1918 program outlined
could be built. 1t also recommends
the addition OF twelve mine sweepers,
one supply ship and two scagoing
tugs to the total Of the l56-ship three
year program.
Secretary Daniels indicates clearly
the difficulties faced by the depart
ment, however. in the following
language:
1.-THE last naval bill does not give
to the department any additional or
extraordinary powers in connection
with placing the contracts for these
vessels or in obtaining materials for
their construction. Ii is hoped that
the necessity will not arise Of having
to ask for such powers, as a number
Of ship builders and manufacturers
have shown an attitude OF willingness
to assist the department in meeting
the unusual situation created by the
desire OF the country to commence and
to expedite an entirely unprecedented
naval program at time when the in
dustrial resources of the country are
already taxed to their utmost capacity
in meeting the demands OF tremendous
trade activity, both domestic and for
eign, in every branch Of business. 1t
may be necessary, however, for con-
gress to enact legislation Of this char