Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-08-16
BIGGER NAVY IS REPUBLICAN
PROGRAM, SAYS CONGRESSMAN
MILLER In SUPPORT OF BILL

the Republican side 10 recommit the bill
to the committee with instructions to
report the bill forthwith 50 az to pro-
vide for two battleships and six battle
cruisers. On this motion, l5s Republi-
cans and 25 Democrats, making a total
Of 1873. voted for this increase. The
motion was defeated. however, by a.
vote Of $50 to 1873 with 10 Democrats,
IS Republicans. and Socialist member
voting on that side SO II may he con-
sidered that he Naval program pres
ented to us today follows the steps of
the Republicans of this House rather
than the Republicans following the steps
of the Democrats for it was we on this
side who made the initial effort to pass
well-balanced Naval bill.
"rhis country has the longest vulner-
able coast line Of any nation on earth,
and we have only TO glance at the map
of our country TO have il plainly before
us We have in our active feet on the
Atlantic ocean today ten dreadnaughts
and six pre- dreadnaughts. These consti-
tute the actual force Of the Atlantic
fleet, 10 capital ships. On the Pacific
coast, we have no dreadnaughts or pre-
dreadnaughts except the old Oregon,
which is no longer classed as a fighting
force. We are building six dreadnaughts
that are not a. vet completed and al
present the dreadnaught North Dakota
is out of commission on account Of her
engines. making a total Of seventeen
ships Of this class built or building, but
with only ten in commission. We have
in addition 10 these dreadnaughts
thirteen e-dreadnaughts or battleships
of the second line and nine superan.
'nuated dreadnaughts, or battleships Of
the third line. and in addition the three
old hattleships of the Oregan class
namely, the Indiana and the Massa
chusetts. These are the only ships We
can use 10 police and protect our great
coast lines and ut-lying possessions.
"1'he pre-dreadnaughts or older battle
ships cannot be considered as fighting
units because the guns upon them are
not Of sufficient range and power TO b.
effective against an enemy's dread
naught which could reach them with he
guns before the older battleship ever
got within range 10 use her own guns
I'm other words, these older ships wOul,
meet the same fate as Beattys battl'
cruisers did when they ran up agains
the German dreadnaughts. have gon
into detail at this point to show tina
we only have eleven ships of the dread
naught class available for use today
Can anyone in the widest fights o
imagination claim that eleven ships o
even in addition the six that are build
ing. are enough capital ships b protec
both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, tn
Panama canal and our possessions in tn
Caribbean to say nothing Of the Philip
ines and Hawaii
'In connection with the privileg
given me 10 extend my remarks IN tn
Record. desire 10 insert in the Recor
an article from TIL EVENING jour
NAL Of Wilmington, in its issue {
August IL, 1915. relative 70 the shiT
in the United States Navy that haN
borne the name Of Delaware. also II
sert an article from the PHILADELPHIA
r. Public ledger, Of July ., 1919. being =
article by Admiral Dewey. which appea
ed in the Sea Power magazine. entitle
Lessons Of SkageTack.'