The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-12-10
SLOGAN Of THE
NAVAL SERVICE
Was Given by Young American Off
Ger When Our Destroyers Reach
ed European Waters
ASSOCIATED Press)

Washington, Dec. 10.-To a young
officer, commanding the first fotilla
of American destroyers to reach the
war zone when the United States en-
tered the world war, Secretary DAN
iels turns in his annual report, made
public today, 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 submarines after
the long voyage, the officer replied:
"We are ready now"
"That was not the language of
boasting," Mr.. Daniels says in de-
scribing the incident. "It was the
prophecy and pledge of our service
with those fighting in a common
cause.
During peaceful years the navy
has been quietly but steadily perfect
ing itself to meet the time of war.
Now the hour for which it has been
preparing has arrived. Our sword is
drawn, and no one will dispute that
the blade is keen and free from rust
and its temper true.
For the coming year, Mr.. Daniels
proposes a naval budget of $1,049,-
660,502, which is not itemized in his
report. In various ways, he says, it
will be necessary to ask for additional
funds as the session of Congress pro-
ceeds. He points out, however, that
appropriations for the last fiscal year
totalled $1.542, ,732, ,859 for the navy
and for thirteen month period ST.
905, ,410,930. Congress provided lib
orally, he says, and legislated for the
navy with vision and wisdom.
Striking figures contained in the
report showing that the war expan-
sion of the navy include the following:
Since January l, 1917 the naval
force has increased from 4,500 officers
and $4,000 men to $4,000 officers and
f254,000 men the number of the sta
tions of all kinds operated by the ma
wy has increased from 130 to $50; the
number of civil employees from $4,000
to 10000; the strength of the naval
reserve from few hundred to 49, ,246
men; the average monthly expenditure
from 100000 to S60,000,000; the
number of ships in commission from
little more than 300 to more than l..
900; the hospital corps from 1900 to
| 900; the national army volunteers
from zero to 10000 men; the marine
corps from 344 officers and 1921 men
to 1,197 officers and 10000 men. In
addition to this to the vast orders fol
material placed, the expansion of the
air service and to many wholly new
activities developing from war con-
ditions, training facilities have been
provided for 1860 men exclusive of
the naval academy and other regular
service schools.
! The secretary asks that the perma>
nent enlistment personnel be increas-
ed to 10000 blue jackets, 10000 ap-
prentice seamen, 1000 men in the
trade schools and 1000 for air SER
vice. For war purposes he has asked
that the figures be 10000 blue jack
cts, $4,000 apprentices, $4,000 in trade
schools and 10000 in aviation.
| The report declares that the inter
changes between the naval services of
the allied powers and the navy have
been particularly frank and free,
adding that this partnership of demo-
cratic nations will yet ENSURE last
ing peace" 1t says that when the call
lcame, the navy supplied gunners and