The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-12-09
NOT SAFE WITHOUT
A GREAT NAVY

their armament, the United States
must continue to increase its naval
power, Secretary of the Navy Dam
iels declared in his annual report,
made public Friday, which urges that
funds be appropriated at once to be-
gin building AZ additional ships.
II feel it my duty to warn as
solemnly as / may" the secretary
says after reciting the high expendi-
lures 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 magnifi-
cent 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 every succeeding year if we
are to finish what we have commenc-
ed"
Secretary Daniels recalls that the
1917 appropriation bill carries pro-
vision for a possible limitation of
armament agreement.
81 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 the
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 fleet, completed and in commission
in 1921, will be OF dreadnaughts of the
first line, supported by six battle
cruisers, 20 second line battleships, 13
scout cruisers, 108 destroyers, L
feet submarines and $50 coast defense
submersibles. While there is no pos
sibility of predicting what rank
among the naval powers the country
will then take, he adds, the authorize
tion of such program has been ac-
copied as assurance that the United
States has definitely embarked on the
policy of building an adequate navy.
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 ht
has recommended for 1918, featured
by three battleships and one battl,
cruiser, will tax private and public
plants to their utmost even with thu
increased building equipment author
lied for navy yards. II was for tina
reason, the secretary adds, that he dit
not follow the general boards rec
ommendation and urge that the fou
of the six remaining battleships o
the three year program and both o
the battle cruisers be laid down a
once.
The board states in its report &C
companying that of the secretary
that its information as to buildin,
facilities indicates the 1918 program
outlined could be built, 1t also rec
ommends the addition of twelve min
sweepers, one supply ship and tw
seagoing tugs to the total of the 156
ship three-year program.
Secretary Daniels indicates clearl
the difficulties faced by the depart
ment, however, in the following lang
uage:
"The last naval bill does not Civ
to the department any additional Q
extraordinary powers in connectio
with placing the contracts for thes
vessels or in obtaining materials fo
their construction. 1t is hoped ths
the necessity will not arise of havin
to ask for such powers, as a numbe
of ship builders ard manufacturer
have shown an attitude of willingness
to assist the department in meetin
the unusual situation created by til
desire of the country to commence an
tc expedite an entirely unpreeedente
naval program at time when the II
dustrial resources of the country al
already taxed to their utmost capacit
in meeting the demands of tremendou
trade activity, both domestic and fol
eign, in every branch of business.
may be necessary, however, for Cor
gress to enact legislation of tn