Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-10
|NAVY'S RECORD IS ONE
OF INCREASING POWER
Secretary Daniels in His Annual Report Proposes Bud
get of $1,039 $50, SOP Asks for Increase in
Permanent Enlisted Personnel

submarines and number Of auxiliary
craft.
The secretary asks that the per-
mancnt enlisted personnel he increased
TO i.9.oep blueJactets. 10000 apprcnti ice
seamen 1000 men in the trade schools
and 1000 for the air service. For war
purposes ae asks that the figures be
lShnoo blueia chets. $4,000 apprentices.
1900 in trade schools and 10000 in
aviation.
WOULD MAKE PROMOTION
On BASIS or MERIT
Mir. Daniels again emphasizes his
feeling that promotion should be made
OH tho basis Of merit throughout the
navy and that the fetish Of seniority
be abandoned. from admiral to en-
sign" lie recommends that tho se!ec-
two system now he extended to the
staff as we'll As the line. lie also cX-
presses the conviction that every can
didatc for admission TO the Naval
Academy should be compelled to serve
a year before the mast as an enlisted
man before entering tho school
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 insure "A last
Ing peace" L; says that when the call
came, the navy supplied sunners and
guns for merchant Graf; without an
hours delay
Tho repor; touches on the various
naval conferences attended BY Amcri-
can officers but adds nothing 10 what
is known OF the questions taken up or
the decisions reached. Throughout the
lengthy document tn" secretary is care
ful TO avoid any statement that nigh;
be OF service To AN cncmy.
Eie secretary pays tribute 10 the
marine corps. which has lived up to
its best traditions. he says. as will he
shown when the war is over The
marine regiment in France he saws
VIII soon be considerably AUGMENTED il,
its service with General rcrshinc's
army.
Development OF naval aircraf, has
neen remarkable, the secretary says
que largely to the success OF The liberty
motor
IL may he stated with confidence "
nc says. that az the present moment We
have an American fying-boat H.luaIiv
lying with an American engine which
is uneScelled BY any foreign craft Of
the type"
The secretary discloses the fact tha;
American coas; patrol stations have
been authorized abroad. and will be I'm
operation next year. but gives no de-
tails.
In conclusion, Mr.. Daniels pictures
the possibility % an international navy
10 Keep the world peace. such an
agreement cannot be cherished now. he
Gays. that al! the world is at war.
But il this condition could not be
reached in time of peace" he adds.
may we not believe that it will be one
tragedy 81 war;
EACH NAVAL. POWER
WOULD ASSIGN UNITS
Each naval power should assign
units TO ;hn the international force in
proportion to lis wealth and nopula-
;!'n. the secretary suggests. adding:
I" such a police OF the sea this
country will he ready 10 make fun con
'r!bution. and TO that end the cNpan-
sion that now crowds all the old and
new sh!pbuild;ns resources will soon
place this country T.! Il position to fur
nish as many and as powerful ships n.
viii come from any other country. I:
would be lasting cala,ni,% If. when
this war ends, there should lingrr as =
burden upon people. ALREADY heavily
taxed BY war. compcti;iv" program.
OF costly naval construction This
country will. no doubt. tako It's Dropcr
rlacc in bringing about such provis-
ions in the peace treaties as viii never
= gam cons;ra.u any nation to adapt
us naval program 20 tho program Of
some other nation from which there is
the compelling menace Of possible and
unproroked attack. such compuisl on
is the Vc"% negative @; natural and
orderly nava! development /; means
the tyranny Of 4 program dictated nv
apprehension rather Than the free
Choice Of standard suggested hv ma
iona! needs and supported by national
IDEALS. An international navy on tho
contrary. Will mako possible such naval
c'r"lonment as each nation drcmlG Gi-
'inE 70" rs own people. II will also
serve the parliament OF man hv pro.
Nid!ng a naval force ample enough TO
s'Fe vaidi,y to international dccrccs
""d strong enough 10 Keep invioIa,c
me peace Of tho world