The sun., 1916-12-12
NEW WARSHIPS
TO LEAD WORLD
Daniels Says Superdrcad-
noughts Will BE Largest,
Fastest and Strongest.
RAISES SPEED STANDARD
llioher Powered 16 Inch Gun
and Mere ArmOr PrOtcc-
ton Provided.

V~NriSCro~, Dec. II. Secretary
~, Is. IN his hearing before the House
.,,al Committee. gave interesting in
,,~s,ti,on to-day concerning the newest
ir,srrcti We American superdreadnoughfs.
-ri.n he described as the largest. fastest
Ell most powerful battlcships believed
20 he n contemplation By any navy" Mr..
ran.els said in part
AFTER The most careful study and ex-
k-us,ive consideration OF all the factors
involved. the military and technical ad-
,icrs ~ the Navy Department have
r,.ahcd the conclusion that the battle
tsips 10 he laid down during the fiscal
year 1918. namely ~. so and 81. should
f,,resent a marked step in advance In
81 around military efficiency. and on
:,,uen,ly an increase in size in order to
We the reasonable assurance that these
vessels shall he superior in hshtiDg power
10 any vessels which may he laid down
cutemporsneously by other naval Pow
trs
FIRST among these increases In char
sytcrIs,ics is the matter OF speed. Here
,ofore the battle feet OF the United states
ta2 4Hetn QtNtlpptu on ~ q ~
form speed Of twenty-one knots. De-
Selopnents in the European war have
Indicated that in the future greater EN-
p.asis will be placed on speed.
increase Of Two Knott.
~, has /, It been considered advisable.
however. & increase the speed by such
a. amour, as would involve an abnor-
nally large increase in size Of vessel. or
o sacrihce OF the offensive and defensive
powers. The decision reached. therefore.
has been TO provide these vessels with
~ Increase OF about two knots In nomi-
ma speed.
In recent years there has been an
Increasing belief in our own service that
our battleships should be equipped with
the largest sized high power guns
practicable. The various engagements
between capital ships during the present
war nave confirmed this opinion. De-
~,elopments and progress In ordnance
have rendered this step practicable. and
n accordance herewith the vessels OF the
last programme were provided by the
DEPARTMENT with eight sixteen inch guns.
Further progress has Enabled the De-
Dartment TO provide for these new vee-
sels a higher powered Is inch gun. Ex-
DETRIMENTAL firing with the three gun tur-
rats OF the Nevada, Oklahoma and Penn
eylNanld served 10 DEMONSTRATE tne cur
cheney Of this type Of noun and TO con-
vince the responsible officers OF the De-
partment that its retention Is imperative
M.the historic American policy OF carry
Ing on every first class hip the maxi
mum number Of heavy guns Is to he al
hered 10. These new vessels are there
fore TO be provided with twelve OF I'M
highest powered l6 inch guns mounted
In four three gun turrets.
APsnOr Protection.
"A careful study Of the causes Of thu
los Of several first class ships Of thu
beugerent Powers in the present VA
and the sources OF damage to othe'
ships not actually lost has shown IN
necessity for certain increases ana eN
tens ons Of the system OF armor protec
tcn and a consequent increase IN M
6splacement of the vessel.
In addition 10 the increases to tn
main characteristics. as referred TO u
the preceding paragraph, there will h
.urorporated a number OF minor i'm
provenents in structure, fittings ant
suNi!iaries whose desirability has be
come apparent by experience in serNic
o. whose accomplishment has been rem
dered possible by general engineering
T'1gress.
The design of these vessels Is benz
pceeded with az ra pidly as possible an,
=, sed mate covering their cost W.
b available at an early date. The pre-
lnnary designs indicate that these YES
g. will displace about $1,000 tons an
" 4 lost, about SIS. 900, 900"
t.,retary Daniels advocated legisla
t"p which would compel steel companie
ia other private concerns to give pref
& ,ur. to Government orders for militar
"ppl.cs. He will submit a new sectio
o., The pending naval appropriation bi
his purpose in order to hasten ba'
r.,hip construction. which he declare
-. being delayed by commercial wor
bon IN the yards OF private builders an
IL the steel plants.
Extension OF facilities for enlisted me
O. enter the Naval Academy was urge
- the Secretary. but he ~disapproved N
suggestion for early graduation OF mic
, pmen TO I'LL vacancies in the servic
lie animated that he might ask late
that the pay Of all enlisted mel on mr.
tr!s,ment be raised to encourage r.
cutting, but he did not go into details.
4 statement by Capt. Charles
I9unkett. director OF gunnery. was SUI
H ted to show that steady lmprov'
mont was being made In gunnery al
T. get practice.
The gunnery practice OF the BATH
tups last year was carried out. u
S.4tement said. lat ranges far in g!
css II any heretofore. The percenta,
a. hts was not only maintained, b
slowed an increase in spite OF over
- cent. increase in ange.'
Baker Sends Army Data.
Secretary Baker has written
s '"aker Clark. in response to a Hou
rrrolution, saying that 1854 out Of Il