The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-12-13
DANIELS TELLS Of
PROGRESS OF NAVY
SECRETARY is PROUD OF ITS
ACHIEVEMENTS.
READY TO MEET ALL DUTIES
Vessels Commissioned and Manned
Since United States Entered the
War Number 745--More Volun-
teers Than Could Be Used.

! Washington. Dec 10.-Pride in the
| achievements of the navy since the
United States entered the war Is the
keynote of the annual report of Sec
rotary of the Navy Daniels, made pub
lie today.
The report is carefully worded, SO
that no bit of information that might
be of benefit to the enemy may be
communicated by it, The report OF
| the general board of the navy, which
has been charged with seeking solu-
| tons to the submarine menace and
other grave problems, is suppressed
in its entirety. Only the general ques-
| lions considered by the board are
| given. In the secretary's report
| few facts come to light that have
not before been printed, but none Is
of great importance.
| Secretary Daniels himself sums up
the report in these words:
"In the navy we have prepared for
and have met the duties of the pres
ent; we are preparing for and are
confident we will be able to meet any
| call for greater duties, for more ex-
acting responsibilities. The best way
to secure enduring peace is to pre-
pare increasingly, night and day, for
!! the winning Of the war, whether 1t
be long or short. This we have done !;
| this we are doing; this we will con-
i tinue to do"
| Bio Problems Met.
| Problems that have arisen and have
been met since the declaration of war
with Germany are listed by Secretary
Daniels as follows:
Preparation for impending and &c
tual war calling for the largest pro-
gram of construction, the best plans
| to supply the largest fleets, and the
study of new agencies to be employed
in war without precedent.
The co-ordinating of our efforts with
those of the countries with which we
are aligned in the war.
1 The carrying on Of offensive opera
tons against the naval forces of our
opponents.
i Providing safe passage for ships
charged with the duty of transports
ing large army across the ocean and
conducting military operations 1000
miles overseas.
Maintaining available naval forces
In state of readiness for battle.
j Providing additional fighting units
i necessary to bring the war to a sue
cesSful conclusion.
20 MAN hn pnxu
units of the navy and to assist in
manning the merchant marine.
Since the beginning of the war 745
vessels have been commissioned and
manned.
Too Many Volunteers.
The navy actually was embarrassed
in the early days of the war by the
eagerness with which young America
responded to the call for naval re-
cruits.
1.-THE navy's efforts at recruiting
were so successful that it was diff
flcult with the then facilities to take
care of the flood of volunteers" the
! secretary says. "There were various
Z threats of ep:demics of the diseases
\ that appear when unseasoned men
!, are suddenly assembled in large mum.
!, bers."
These however, were soon stamped
out, and at present the health. of the
navy is excellent.
Since the middle of July 1t has been
necessary, the report states, to limit
enlistments In the navy to 1000 men
"In this way we are getting body
of picked men. All enlistments in
the regular navy have been for one
full term of four years and the high
standard has been rigidly maintained
| Estimates Cor Coming Year.
Secretary Daniels estimates that the
total expenditures for naval actiyi.
ties during the next fiscal year al
81, 039, $50, 502.S4. All appropriations
not essential to the rigorous prosecu.
ton of the war are excluded from this
estimate.
4 These recommendations also are
made by the secretary of the navy:
That the Great Lakes training
school near Chicago be continued aft
er the war.
That the permanent enlisted
strength of the navy be increased to
10000 men, plus 10000 apprentice
seamen, 1000 men under training In
trade schools and 1000 men for avia
ton.
That for the period of the war the
enlisted strength authorized be 1870.
600 men. plus 24,00O apprentice sea.
men, $4,000 men under training in
trade schools and 10000 men for ayia.
ton.
That the fetish of seniority" be
entirely stamped out and that the rule
of promotion by selection be extended
to all commissioned officers Of the stan
as well as the line.
That TEMPORARY promotion may be
made up to the grade of lieutenant.
commander, instead of merely to lieu,
: tenant
i That provision be made for tempo
rary advancement Of men on the re.
t.rement list who are recalled to active
service during the war;
\ That the rank Of commodore BIZ