The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-12-14
WE ARE READY IS
SLOGAN OF NAVY IN
REPORT Rendered
Secretary Tells Of Results
Achieved 0mitting Details
That Might Help Enemy
STILL LARGER FORCES
aH@ WILL SOON BE NEEDED
Ships and Sea Fighters Are First
Line Of Defense and Must
Be Well Kept Up 4

sOciated Press TO young officer,
commanding the irst hotilla of Amer.
lean destrOyeTs to reach the war zone
when the United States entered the
world war, Secretary Daniels turns in
his annual report made public today, to
find the war slogan of the naval serv.
ice. Asked by the British admiral to
whom he reported when his ships would
be ready for work against the subma-
rines after the long voyage, the officer
replied: -. ........ .a
1--WE are ready now ls..
THAT was not the language of
boasting," Mr.. Daniels says, in descaib.
ing the incident. 1T 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 perfecting It.
self 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. 'as& . ... ..,.. W. 'F. ~. FL.
While ! may not speak in detail of
the greater. naval operations il may be
stated that the record is one of increas.
ing power, of developing resoureeful-
ness and of cooperative achievement
which the American people may well
survey with national pride. While the
details of what we have ddne and how
we have done II must wait until it is
permissible to spread them npon public
record, this summary may be. given TO
our people: ~
Ready To Go Ahead 3 & 4.
f'In the navy we have prepared for,
and have met the duties of the present !;
we are preparing for and are confident
we viii be able to meet any call for
greater duties, for more exacting re-
spOnsibilities. The best way to secure
enduring peace is to prepare unceasing-
ly, night and day, for the winning Of
the war, whether it 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 pro-
poses a naval budget of 81 ,030,6 ,502,
which is not itemized in his report. In
various ways, he says, it will be neces-
sary to ask for additional funds as the
session of congress proceeds. He points
out, however, that appropriations, for
the last fiscal year totalled $l,542, ,732,.
$50 for the navy and for thirteen
month period, 81 ,905, ,4lO, $50. Congress
provided literally he says, and legis-
lated for the navy with vision and wis.
dom. '-
Broad Spirit Is Shown
'This was done, too,'' he adds, "in
the broadest spirit of NATIONAL patriot
ism by members of all political par
ties. -
Striking figures contained in the re-
port showing the war expansion of the
navy include the following;
Since Jan. l, 1917, the naval force
has increased from $500 offirers and
6S, 900 meu to $1,000 officers and 254, 900
men, the number of stations of all kinds
operated by the Navy has increased
from l30 to 1858; the number of civil
employees from $4,000 20 10000; the
strength of the Naval Reserve from q
few hundred TO 49,246 men; the nver-
age monthly expenditure from $S,00O,-
900 to $50, 900, 900; the number of ships
in commission from a little more than
800 30 more THAI 1000; the hospital
corps from 900 to 1000, the Nation
al Naval Volunteers from zero TO 10000
men; the Marine Corps from 344 Off.
GERS and 9,921 men to ,l97 officers and
30,000 men. In addition to this and TO
the vast orders for material placed, the
expansion Of the air service and 10
many wholly new activities developing
from war conditions, training facilities
have been provided for ll3,650 men ex,
elusive of the Naval Academy and
other regular service schools.
For the first time, the secretary does
not make public the report of the gene
raj board of the navy. His synopsis
of the board = work shows that il has
been of a most confidential character
and the report is withheld for that rea-
son, Mr.. Daniels says. This report is
the usual source of the future building
program of the Navy. The secretary
contents himself this year, however,
with recommending that the remainder
of the three'year program already aP'
proved be authorized, including thgee
battleships, one battle cruiser, three
scout cruisers, nine feet submarines aud
number of auxiliary craft.
More Men Required
The secretary asks that the perma
nent enlisted personnel be increased to
10000 blue jackets, 10000 apprentice
seumen, 1000 men in the trade schools
aud 1000 for the air service. For war
purposes he asks that the figures be
100000 blue jackets, $4,000 apprentices,
II 1000 in trade schools and 10, 900 in avi.
alton.
Mr. Daniels again emphasizes his
feeling that promotion should be made
on the basis Of merit throughout the
Navy and that the fetish" of Sc.