The sun., 1918-12-13
BADGER ANNOUNCES
Big NAVAL PLAN


The damage submarines were able TO
do would have been nothing compared
to the havoc n single battN cruiser
could have done so far as the efforts
OF the American navy to check its
attacks were concerned.
The battleships planned for the
American Navy are equal II not su-
perior to any ships OF the same sort
In the world. Going into details on
the programme, the Admiral said:
Type for type our battleshlps COM
OF any other nation. The six battle
ships soon to be laid down are de-
signed for a displacement OF $4,000
tons, of twenty-three knots speed, a
main battery Of twelve sixteen inch
guns and are heavily armored. They
will be the most powerful vessels now
building or, so far as known, projected
In the world.
"For future capital ship construc-
ton there are advocates OF a so-called
fast battleship which shall combine
tho qualities Of the battleship and the
battle cruiser. The General Board
after long and full study OF this ques-
ton Is of the opinion that II would be
unwise to attempt at this time the
construction OF such combination
ships, which would have q displace-
ment OF at least $4,000 tons as against
the $4,000 ton standard battleship,
less armor protection, and a speed Of
twenty nine knots as against the pro-
tn, >. 81
cruiser. The cost OF the battleship
now under construction is estimated
at s27,121.s65 and the fast battleship
at $3S,S76,125.
Scout Vessels Basly Needed.
"Our fleet has always been lamen-
tably short in scouting and screening
vessels. 1t is hardly too much to say
that except for ten scouts Just begun
we have none. Our programme pro-
vides for thirty additional scouts.
THE 1920 programme provides for
los destroyers. There are now built or
building and to be ordered 342. The
total in 1928 would be 450 therefore.
Great Britain has in destroyers and
destroyer leaders approximately Sic.
The General Board believes $50 will
De sufficient for US.
The submarine programme calls
for 81 fleet submarines, 1A6 s. type,
"a anti-submarines and AZ mine lay
ers. There are now built. building
or authorized a total of 1853 coast
submarines and IL feet submarines.
The General Board estimates that a
total Of 294 81 type boats are required
for the navy, including l20 boats for
Atlantic patrol, 81 for the Pacific and
30 for 4 mobile force to act at a
distance from bases, allow for those
under repair and in dry dock. As the
older type boats became inefficient
they should be replaced by the 81
type. The General Board recon-
mends that of the ,146 eventually re-
quired IS be authorized now.
England to Have 222 subma rtnes.
The British navy has now built
or building 222 submarines. of which
about IS are OF large or feet type"
Rear Admiral Badger emphasized
the need for additional mine sweepers
and patrol vessels.
The aIrplane carrier is a develop
ment Of the present war; he con-
tinued, land its development has been
very great. Aircraft will in future
play an important part in all scout
ing operations OF the fleet. The Cen
eral Board is convinced that feet
engagements will be preceded in the
future by operations in the air. There
fore it is necessary that facilities be
provided.
Admiral Beatty. commander in
chief OF the British Grand Fleet, has
informed us that the Germans have
six seaplanes for carriers and fleet
operations. They appear to be work
ing seaplanes in conjunction with Yep
pelins, and he says that every effort
should be made to develop the use Of
naval aircraft for feet purposes.
The general board has recon-
mended the inclusion OF six seaplane
carriers in the 1920 programme. This
number may be modified, but we
should have at least two. The de-
velopment OF aircraft patrols Is very
important and the United States has
established numerous aircraft stations
both at home and abroad. The gen.
eral board has recommended that air
craft stations be built and equipped
to cover the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts and our island possession
coasts.
Rigid Airships Are Needed.
The general board believes that
our navy should possess rigid air
ships and has recommended the pur-
chase abroad OF two OF the latest
pattern, and the construction in this
country of two more. II Is under
stood that the British decided before
the close OF the war to keep six
teen rigid airshlps in commission.
They have now nine built and four
authorized. The French have adopted
the rigid airship as part OF their
naval programme.
Germany is reported TO have had
a fleet of'hfty rigid drigibles with the
necessary manufacturing facilities to
turn out one every two OF three
weeks.