The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-10
U. S. Officers Reply to Brit
ish Admiral Significant,
Says Daniels.
IN ANNUAL REPORT
Secretary Describes Accom-
plishments Of Year and
Hopes of Future.


zone when the United States entered
, the world war; SECRETARY Daniels turns
IN his annual reports, 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 submarines after the long voyage,
the officer replied:
We are ready now
That was not the language of
boasting," Mr. Daniels says in describ-
ing the incident. 1T was the prophecy
and pledge of our service with those
lighting in a common cause.
during peaceful years the navy has
been quietly but steadily perfecting
itself to meet the time of war. Now
the hour for which it has BEEN pre-.
pairing has arrived. Our sword is
drawn. and no one will dispute that
the blade is clean and free from rust
and its temper true
Story Of Achievement.
While may not speak in detail of
the greater naval operations, it may
be stated that the record is one of in
creasing power, of developing re-
sourcefulness and Of cooperative
achievement which the American
people may well survey with national
pride. While the details of what we
have done and how we have done it
must wait until it is permissible to
spread them upon public record, this
summary may be given to our people:
IN the navy we have prepared for,
and nave met the duties of the pres
ent; we are preparing for and are con-
fldent 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 prepare
Increasingly. 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 viii,
continue to do
Plans for Coming Year.
For the coming year, Mr.. Daniels
proposed a naval budget of S1,OS9, $50, :
5O2 which is not itenlized in his re-
port. In various ways, he says, it wiz
be necessary to ask for additional
funds as the session of congress pro-
cccds. He points out. however, that
pp'opriation for the last fiscal year
totalled sl.542, 1872 $50 for the navy and
for Il thirteen month period $1,905,41O.-
$50. Congress provided literally, he
says. and legislated for the navy with
vision and wisdom.
Il his was done, too he adds. "in
the proaaest spirit of national patri :
otism by members of all political
parties
Striking figures contained in the re-
port showing the war expansion of the
navy include the following:
What Has Been Done.
Since January /, 1911, the naval
force has increased from 1880 Officers
and $4,000 men to 15,oo0 officers and
$4,000 men. The number of stations
OF all kinds operated by the navy has
increased from 100 to 1868; the number
or civil employees from $4,000 to co.
600; the sertngth of the naval reserve
from a few hundreds to 1926 men:
the average monthly expenditures
from $s,0Oo,000 to $4,000, 900; the
number of ships in commission from a
little more than 800 to 1000: the hos
pital corps from 1900 to 1000 the Ma
tlonal Naval volunteers from zero to
$1,000 men; the marine corps fror,
34f Officers and 1921 men to 1897 Of
icerss ana $4,000 men. In addition to
TINS and to the vast orders for material
placeds the expansion of the air sery-
ice and to many wholly new activities
developing from war conditions train
ing FACILITIES have been provided for
1850 men exclusive OF the Naval
academy. and other regular service
schools.
For the first time the secretary does
not make public the report of the gen
eral board of the navy. His synopsis
of the boards work shows that it has
been of q. most confidential character
and the report is withheld for that
reason, Mr.. Daniels says This re-
port is the usual source of the future
building program of the navy. The
secretary contents himself this wear,
however. with recommending that the
remainder of the three-y program
already approved be. authorized, in
GLIDING three battleships, one battle
cruiser, three scout crusires. nine fleet
submarines and "A number of auxiliary
craft.
Wants Personnel Increased.
The secretary asks that the perma-
ncnt enlisted personnel be increased to
10000 blue jackets, 10000 apprentice
seamen, 1000 men in the trade schools
and 1000 for the air service. For war
purposes he asks that the figures be
10000 blue jackets. "a, 900 apprentices,
$4,000 i'm trade schools and 10000 in
aviation.
Mi. Daniels again emphasizes his
feeling that promotion should be made
on the basis of merit throughout the
navy and that the fetish of senior
ity be abandoned. from admiral to
ensign He recommends that the
selective system now be extended to
the staff as well as the line. He also
Expresses the conviction that every
candidate for admission to the naval
academy should be compelled to serve