Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-10
rBy Associated rrcss.l

WASHINGTON. December S.--To a
young officer. commanding tho first
notilla Of American dcstroycrs TO
reach the war zone when the United
States entered the world war. Secre-
tary Daniels turns in his annual re-
port. made public to-day. TO find the
war slogan OF the naval service. Asked
by the British admiral TO whom he
reported when his ships would be
ready for work against the submarine s
after the long voyage, the officer re-
piled:
we are ready now"
THAT was not the language OF
hoasting.' Mr.. Daniels says in de-
scribinG the incident. 1T was the
prophecy and pledge of our service
with those lighting in common
cause.
During peaceful years the navy has
been quietly but steadily perfecting
itself 10 meet tho time ot war Now
the hour for which ii has been pre-
pairing has arrived. Our sword is
drawn. and no onc will dispute that
the blade is keen and free from rust.
and its temper true.
While may not speak III detail
OF the srcater naval operations. it
may be stated that the record is one
Of increasing power, OF developing re-
Sourctfulness and Of cooperative
achievement which the American poo
pie may we'll survey with national
pride. While tho details of what We
have done and how VIC have done it
must wait until il is permissible to
spread them upon public record. this
summary may be given 10 our people:
In tho navy We have prepared for.
and have met tho duties of tho pres
ent: We are lroparing for and arc con
.idcnt We will be abb. to nice, any call
for greater duties. for more cxactins
responsibilities The best way to
secure enduring peace is TO prepare
increasingly, night and day. for the
winning or tho war, whether ii be
long or short. This We have done;
this we are doing and this We will
continue TO do
For the coming year. Mr.. Daniels
proposes naval budget Of Sl.o3e.-
6s0.50", which is not itcmizcd in his
report. In various ways. lie says. ii
will be necessary to ask for additional
funds az the session OF Congress pro-
cceds. lie points out. however, that
appropriations for the last fiscal year
totalcd sl.5te.732,s5a for the navy and
for ,hirtcemmonth period $1,000
tio.sSo. Congress provided literally
he says. and lcGislated for the navy
with vision and wisdom.
STRIKING: FIGURES SHOW
WAR EXPANSION OF NAVY
This vas done, too" he adds. in
the broadcsl spiri, OF national patriot
ism hy members .: all political
parties"
%;yiNinp figures contained IN the re-
port showing tho war expansion OF
III. navy include The following:
Since January !. 1917. the naval
force has increased from $500 officers
and $4,000 men to 5000 officers and
"5l,00o mon: that number oc stations
OF all kinds operated by the navy
has increased from $50 to $50; the
number Of civil employees from 5000
10 $4,000: tho strength Of the naval
reserve from Il few hundreds 10
i..@45 mon: the average monthly cS-
pcnditure from $4,000. 600 to $50, 900 900;
TIC number OF ships in commission
from q lit,!c more than 800 TO more
than l.o0o: tho hospital corps from
LOO" to 100; tho national naval
volunteers from zero TO 1900 men;
the marine corps from 3ft officers and
?.e:i men 10 l.is1 officers and 10000
men. IN addition TO this and to the
vast orders for material placed. the
OF the air service and to
many wholly new activities develop
ing from war conditions. training
facilities have been provided for
1850 men exclusive Of The Naval
AGA deny and other regular service
schools.
For the first time the secretary does
not make public tho report OF the
rencral board Of the navy. His synop-
s!s Of the boards work shows that IL
has been OF a most confidential char
act"r, and the rcoor; Is Withheld for
that. reason. Mr.. Daniels says. This re-
port * the usual source OF the future
building program OF the navy. The
secretary contents himself this year.
however With recommending that the
rcmaindtr OF the thrcc-year program
already approved bc authorized. in
Guiding three hatticshios. one battle
cruiser, three scout cruisers, nine feet