The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-08
AZ MORE WARSHIPS
URGED By DANIELS
Until All Nations Agree to Reduce Their
Amman the United States Must
Keep Up with the Procession.

Washington, Dee. s.--Until all nations
agree to reduce their armament, the
JElted States must continue to increase
It's naval power, Secretary Daniels de-
c.arss in his annual report, made public
last nisht. and which urges that funds
be appropriated at once to begin build
ing az additional ships.
II fca. il my duty to warn as solemn
y ~ may" the secretary says after
recitIng tho high expenditures for the
navy authorized at the last session OF
Congress. against the danger that lies
in a possible feeling on the part OF our
people that the navy has now been at
tended to, has been placed where 1t be-
longs, among the great navies OF the
world, and there is nothing further TO be
done. Complacent restrospection is the
father of dry rot. We have made mag.
nifcient beginning, but that it must not
be forgotten by the public that the same
intelligent appreciation OF our needs, the
same willingness to provide for these
needs, must be shown this year and ev-
cry succeeding year II we are to finish
what we have commenced
Secretary Daniels recalls that the 1917
appropriation bill carries provision for
il possible limitation of armament agree
mont.
Il earnestly hope the time is not far
distant when this act of Congress will
result in such an agreement" he contin-
ues, "and that the nations of earth will
have the craftsmanship to devise Office
tive means of preserving the worlds
peace without constantly building ever
increasing dreadnaughts at ever increas-
ing cost. Until that hour arrives tho
United States cannot safely adopt any
policy other than that of continuing the
policy of steadily 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 q dreadnaughts of the first
line, supported by six cruisers, % second
! line battleships, l3 scout cruisers, l0s
destroyers, IL fleet submarines and lJS
coast defense submersibles. While there
| is no possibility of predicting what rank
among the naval powers the county will
then take, he adds, the authorization oi
such program has been accepted as as.
surance that the United States has def
nitely embarked on the policy of build
| ing an adequate navy.
| The secretary devotes much attention
to discussion Of the problem encountered
by the department in getting the ne"
ships laid down Building facilities and
skilled labor are lacking, he says, and
the program he has recommended foi
1918, featured by three battleships ant
one battle cruiser. will tax private ant
public plants to their utmost even will
the increased building equipment au
thorized for navy yards. 1t was for thai
reason, the secretary adds, that he dc
not follow the general boards recon-
mendation and urge that the four OF thu
six remaining battleships Of the three
year program and both of the battle
icruisers be laid down at once.
The board states in its report accom-
panyinq that of the secretary that IT.
information as to building facilities indi
Gates the 1918 program outlined could b.
built. 1t also recommends the addition
of twelve mine sweepers, one suppl,
ship, and two sea going tugs to the tota
of the l56-ship thrce-year program.