Arizona republican., 1918-12-31
WILSON FAVORS
BIGGEST NAVY
SAYS DANIELS
If League of Nations, Need
ed for Policing-If No
League, for Protection
Disarmament May Alter
Republican A. p. Leased wirel

WASHINGTON, Dec 30.-Unless a /
league of nations or other tribunal
that will mako certain the limitation
of international. armament is estab- /
lished, the United States must build the !
greatest navy in the world, Secretary
Daniels today told the house naval
committee.
1T is my firm conviction declared
the secretary, that if the conference
at Versailles does not result in a gen.
eral agreement TO put an end to naval
building on the part of all the nations,
then the United States must bend her
will and bend her energies, must give
her men and give her money to the task
of the creation of incomparably the
greatest navy in the world
With the completion of the proposed
new three-yeSr building program, add
ing ten dreadhaughts, six battle cruls-
ers, ten scout cruisers and 13O smaller
craft to the fleet, America still will
rank second in naval strength to Great
Britain, said the secretary, who ap-
peared before the committee to make
his final recommendations for the 1920
navay bill which the committee is con-
sidering.
Does the president back the policy
to make us the first naval power in
the world?" asked Representative Kelly
of Michigan.
Wilson Favors Biggest Navy
YES, if competitive building is to
continue" said Mr.. Daniels. 1--WE are
easily the second naval power, but this
program will not make us the first.
The naval secretary said that if
league of nations is established Amer
lea must provide large part of a world
police force necessary to enforce the
leagues DEGREES. He added, however,
that with such a league formed, 1t
would not be necessary to carry out
the full construction program, and
asked the COMMITTEE to include in the
bill, legislation empowering the presi-
dent TO stop construction at his dis
cretion, if an international agreement
s,ould make limitations OF armament
a certainty.
Il would like to let the world know
that we are tremendously interested in
the presidents proposition for reduc-
ton Of armament" declared the secre-
tary.
In reducing from 5000, 100000 to $55,-
100000, the amount asked for work on
the new building program during the
wear beginning next July, Secretary
Daniels said that some further con-
struction was necessary, because we
police force"
Mr.. Daniels gave the committee
report showing the relative strength of
the navles of the leading nations of the
world Figures for the japanese navy
were not available, it was said.
Reductions Are Noted
Besides the reduction for the new
building program. the secretary sub
mitted new estimates reducing the
~, h,n
next year, to 1895, 903 900. The original
estimates submitted to congress, drawn
while the war was in progress, to-
tailed s2,6643 307 600. Pay Of the navy
under the new estimates will amount
TO $211, 100000 the secretary recon-
mending no permanent increase in per-
sonnel, but asking for temporary in
crease to 250,000 men, until after the
peace conference, when a definite pol
icy as to the permanent establishment
can be found. A huge increase in per-
sonnel was contemplated if the war
had continued, the estimates originally
calling for S479,946,000.
The principal reductions included
the elimination of the following items:
New batteries $115, 100000; torpe-
does and. appliances, $125,O00,000 and
reserve ordnance supplies, S77,6O9, ,442.
Reductions were made in all items re-
manning in the bill, the most important
being ordnance $21, 1,043, 900; provisions
S144553.OO0 naval emergency fund,
s115145,000; medical department So
100000; repairs, $37,500,000; engineer
ing sS5,000,000.
The principal amounts recommended
include aviation $36, 100000; ordnance
s55,955,O0O; provisions, s57,790,0O0;
emergency fund $61, 1,S65,000; medical
department S3,750000; repair of ships,
sS7, 500 900 and engineering $4,000. 900
Says He Is Conservative
In urging the adoption by congress
of the new three-year building pro-
gram, Secretary Daniels said the pro-
gram was constructive" He also said
that construction of big ships, delayed
during the war, so that small craft to
fight submarines could be built, would
be pushed as rapidly as possible.
'Tt is our duty to consider the OBJ
legations imposed upon America, if
the peace conference now occupied al
Versailles completes its work con-
structively and satisfactorily, as We
all hope it will do" said Mr.. Daniels
Let us assume that this conference
will give birth TO some plan looking
toward a concert of the nations fol
the maintenance of peace. 1t will bt
some manner of body to which differ
ing nations will perforce submit then
differences for adjudication, and which
will be sufficiently powerful to in
duce acceptance of its decisions, wher
once they shall be made. Back of tha
must lie a tremendous police power
capable OF compelling the disputant.
TO accept the decisions of the arbi-
traitors.
- at seems self-evident that worlt
nolice must be established to achiev,
this purpose, no matter what the con
stitution or plan of operation of tn,
peace league may be. The world po
lice will be very largely naval. If th'
limited States is to participate in sucl
n movement it must participate upol
= scale commensurate with its wealth
iutell,Sence, great population ant
scientific attainments. Any lesse
participation would be a. shirking o
it's duty. A contribution less in cost
strength or any detail of perfection
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