Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-10

Washington, Dec. $40 4 young offi-
Ger, commanding the first tiotilla Of
American destroyers to reach the war
zone when the United States entered
tie world war, Secretary Daniels turns
in his annual report made public to-
day to find the war slogan of the ma
\ al service. Asked by the British adj
miral to whom he reported when mis-
ships would be ready for work against
the submarines after the long voyage,
the officer replied:
I'VE are ready now
That was not the language of boast
ing, Mr. Daniels says in describing
the incident. 1t was the prophecy
and pledge of our service with those
fighting in 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 tenn
per true.
while | may not speak in detail of
be stated that the record is one IF in
oreasing power, of developing resource
fulness and Of cooperative achievement
which the American people may well
survey with national pride. Wine the
details Of what we have done and now
we ave done it must wait until it is
permissible to spread them upon pub
| lie record, this summary may be gwen
to our people:
In the navy we have prepared for,
and have met the duties Of the present
we are preparing for and are confident
we will be able to meet any call for
greater duties, for more cXacting re
sponsitilities The best way to secure
enduring peace is to prepare. unceas-
ingly, night and Gay, 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 tho comine year. Mr. Daniels
proposes naval budget of S1.139, 500 :
500 which is not itenized in his report
In various ways, III says. it Will he
necessary to ask for additional funds
as the session e Congress proceeds
He points out, however that appro-
priations for the last fiscal year to-
tailed 81 ,542, 49,, 1853 for the navy and
for a 13-month period s1,9o5, 40 $50, CON
gress provided literally. he says. and
| lcgislated for the navy with vision and
visdc m.
This was done, too" he adds, in
! the broadest spirit Of national patriot
ism by members of al political par
ties"
Striking figures contained in the re-
port showing the war expansion Of the
navy include the following:
Since Jan. i, 1917, the naval force has
increased from $500 officers and $500
men to 5000 officers and 25f,00o men;
the number of stations Of all kinds op-
Grated by the navy has increased from
100 to 3e3; the number of civil en-
ployees from $1,000 to $4,000: the
strength Of the Naval Reserve from a
few hundreds to 1926 men; the aver
age monthly expenditure from 5000, :
600 TO $50 100000; the number of ships
| in commission from little more than
300 to more than 1000; the hospital
corps from 1900 TO 1000; the Nationa
Naval Volunteers from zero to 5000
men: the Marine Corps from 34i eli
GERS and 1921 men to 1877 officers and
the vast orders for material placed,
the expansion Of the air service and
to many wholly new activities dcvel-
Cping from war conditions. training
facilities have been provided for 49,,
$50 men exclusive Of the Naval Acad-
envy and other regular service schools.
For the first time, the secretary does
rot make public the report OF the Cen
eral Board Of the Navy. His synopsis
Of the boards work shows that it has
been Of most confidential character
and the report is withheld for that
reason. Mr.. Daniels says. This report
is tie usual source Of the future build
ing program of the navy. The secre-
tary contents himself this year, how
ever, with recommending that the re-
mainder of the three-ycar program al
ready approved be authorized. nclud-
inc three battleshps. one battle crui-
ser. three. scout cruisers. nine fleet sub
marines and a number Of auxiliary
craft
The secretary asks that the parn1a :
rent enlisted personnel he increased to
$4,000 bluejackets. 1890 apprentice
scamen. 1000 men in the trade schools
and 4,CO0 for the air service For war
| purposes he asks that the figures be
$50. 600 bluejackets, 24,00O apprentices.
l4.0C0 in trade schools and 10000 in avi-
| elton.
Mr. Daniels again empha sizes lis
feeling that promotion should be made
On the basis Of merit throughout the