The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-31
Secretary Outlines Plan to
Put and Keep U. s. in
First Naval Place.
MUST INSURE PEACE
Expects an Agreement on
Disarmament at Confer
ences of Nations.
EXPLAINS POLICE PLANS
Asks House Committee for
S439, 100000 for 8 Year Big
Warship Programme.
EXPLAINS POLICE PLANS


statement that the United States
would build up the most powerful
navy In the world unless the peace
conference at Versailles resulted in an
agreement to limit national arma-
ments was made By the Secretary of
the Navy to-day to the House Naval
Affairs Committee.
In effect Secretary Danielss ap-
pearance was the answer to the long
awaited demand for an explanation of
how the Administration reconclled
the Presidents demand for limitation
OF national armaments with the de-
mand at the same time for Il new
three year naval building programme
openly stated to be the first long step
toward building an American navy to
surpass in strength every other in the
world.
At the same time the Secretary sub
mitted to the committee a total (revi-
sion of the estimates for the naval
establishment for next year. The
first figures submitted to Congress
were compiled prior TO the cessation
Of hostillties and We're based on the
assumption that the war was to con-
tinue indefinitely. The first estimates
called for S2,644. .307 .048. The revised
estimates call for $915,9O3, ,6o1, a re-
auction of S1,e6s, ,4O3,4
No Navy Men ON Merchant ships.
Il now appears. AR Daniels said. that
100000 men must be enlisted in the
navy. 10000 OF whom will be needed by
the Shipping Board for merchant YES
sells. At first the Shipping Board
wanted more than twice as many men,
but it has since been decided to man
only troop ships with naval crews.
Secretary Daniels partly disarmed
Republican opposition to the Admins
tration programme by suggesting that
there be inserted in the naval appro-
priation biu provision that the Presi-
dent should halt construction work on
hattleships IL armaments should be
this action was ratified.
Republican members OF the commit
tee have taken the attitude until now
that they would vote to authorize any
number of ships but would put the
proviso in the bill that no money
should be spent or contracts let until
the peace conference settled the ques-
tion OF limitation OF national arma-
nents.
Even completing the building of the
first years work on the three year pro-
gramme sought would not be wasted
work IL national armaments are linn
tied, Mr. Daniels said, because Amer
ica's share in an international naval
police force would be a considerable
one.
Naval Police idea Explained.
Some confusion in the minds Of the
committee was caused by the assur-
ance OF the Secretary that there would
be an international naval police il
league OF nations or anything ap-
preaching il was formed in view of
the recent denial by President Wilson
tnat he indorsed the programme OF the
League to Enforce Peace. When this
denial was made it was pointed out in
fIE Sun that the only vital difference
between the Presid ntial plan for
league OF nations. so far as anything is
tnown Of II. and the plan OF the
- 4
ltrrer plan would provide definitely for
an international police to give force
and authority to pronouncements of
Tho associated nations.
The Secretary explained that the gem
tral board sought programme extend
ing to 1925, but that It was thought
".ssr to make the programme three
al one as a compromise between the
> ~ year plan and the old hand TO
MOUTH plan of building fol one year.
AS regards the larger VESSELS of def
ia types sad ne. the numbers of
q II type can now be fixed. I am ask
(! that authorization be given for the
construction OF ten dreadnoughts, six
battle cruisers and ten scout cruisers TO
b. laid down during the coming three |
''tirs and 1875 other ships Of such type |
ma character as may give us n we'll |
: unded navy. The initial appropria- |
IONS need not be large. for work on |
s. me OF the big ships already authorized !
0as necessarily deferred during tho war |
'l order that work might be concen-
L ted on destroyers and like small! craft |
;rd merchant ships.
mig ships Now Being Pushed.
Sow the construction Of the big ships |
: :. be pushed as rapidly as possible.
number OF small craft being ample
III more dreadnoughts and other big
rs are added 10 the nayai force. As
CARDS these smaller vessels a general
..lhorlzaton is required in order that a
B r3y cf all types produced by all ma
Continued on THIRD Page