The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1918-12-31
MUST HAVE
LARGE FLEET
Unless the Peace Conference
Shal Decide on Big Re-
duction of Navy
SAYS SECRETARY DANIELS

washington, Dec. ol.-oHieSS q
league of nations or other tribunal
that will make certain the limita-
ton of international armament is
established, the United States must
build the greatest navy yard in the
world, Secretary Daniels yesterday
told the House naval committee.
"It is my firm conviction" de-
clared the Secretary, that il the
conference at Versailles does not re-
suit in general 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 incompara-
bly, the greatest navy in the world"
With the completion Of the pro-
poser new three year building pro-
gram adding ten dreadnaughts, six
battle cruisers, ten scout scruisers,
and 130 smaller craft to the feet,
America still will rank second in ma
val strength to Great Britain, said
the Secretary; who apeared before
the committee to make his final rec
concentrations for the 1920 naval
bill.
'Does the President back the pol.
icy to make us the first naval power
in the world?" asked Representative
Kelley of Michigan.
eyes, If competitive building IS
to continue" said Mr.. Daniels. 1--WE
are now easily the second naval
power, but this program will not
make us the first"
The naval secretary said that If a
league Of nations is established Am
erica must provide a large part of II
world police force necessary to en-
force the leagues DEGREES. Headd-
ed, however, that with such a league
formed it would rot be necessary to
carry ON the full construction pro-
gram and asked the committee to
include in the bill legislation en-
powering the President to stop con-
struction at his discretion IL an In
ternational agreement should make
Limitation of armament a certainty
II would like to let the world
know we are tremendously interest
ed in the Presidents proposition for
reduction OF armament" declared
the Secretary.
y In reducing 5000, ,0oO, ,0oe to $685.
900 900, the amount asked for work
on the new building program dur
ing the year beginning next July.
Secretary Daniels said that some
further construction was necessary
because we want some more mod
ern ships in our police force"
Mr.. Daniels gave the committee a
report showing the relative strength
Of the navies of the leading nations
of the world. Figures for the ia
panese navy were not available, it
was said.
Britain has in operation or build
ing 61 battleships, 13 cruisers, 81
heavy cruisers, III light cruisers,
216 patrol and gunboats, 400 de-
stroyers, 219 submarines, SO torpe-
do boats, 80 flotilla leaders, 220 air.
ships and S97 miscellaneous ships.
The United States with the second
largest navy in the world, has built
or projected 80 battleships, six bat
tie cruisers, armored cruisers, 40
light cruisers. 342 destroyers, 1S1
submarines, Is coast torpedo ves-
sells, II torpedo boats and $50 other
vessels.
France has 20 battleships, 81
cruisers, 8 light cruisers, 90 des-
troyers, 121 torpedo boats, 70 sub
marines, 80 airships and 1873 other
craft. Italy has 1S battleships, 7
cruisers, 10 light cruisers, moni-
tors, Is fotilla leaders, 81 destroy
ers, S3 torpedo boats and IS sub
marines.