The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-12-09
BRILLIANT PART
OF navy IN war
TOLD IN REPORT
Accomplished Seemingly I'm
possible, Says Daniels -.
Work ct Marines is Praised.
tBy Associated Press)

(By Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. - With a
story Of brilliant achievements OF the
American navy in the war. Secretary
Daniels couples, in his annual report
made public today. an urgent recon-
mendation for continued naval expan-
sion to meet the demands OF peace Tor
national and international work on
the sea.
The Secretary tells IN brief phrases
of the navy's part in the war. OF the
doing Of the seemingly impossible
through teamwork. He speaks or the
mighty accomplishment OF transport
ing two million men to France, without
the loss OF an eastbound troop ship
through enemy action, and he devotes
a graphic chapter to the Marine Bril-
gade, which as all the world knows
blocked the last Prussian advance on
Paris. and started the German re-
treat that ended with the war
This reference to the future con-
cludes the report:
1.-THE day is not far distant when the
world will witness an end OF competi-
tive building between nations OF the
mighty weapons Of war. In the peace
treaty there will undoubtedly be in
corporated President Wilson's pro-
posal for a reduction OF armament to
the lowest point consistent with do
mestic safety
"Navies will still be needed as an
international police force to compel
compliance with the decree OF an In
ternational tribunal which will be set
up TO decide differences between ma
lions. Naval vessels will have large
peace tasks of survey and discovery
and protection in addition to police
duty of an international as well as OF
a national character.
Biggest Part for U. S.
''Inasmuch as the United States is
the richest Of the great nations and
has suffered less in war than any Of
the allied powers, it will devolye upon
this country to make contribution to
the navy to preserve the peace OF the
world commensurate with its wealth,
it's commerce. it's growing and expand
ing merchant marine. and its leader
ship in the council of free people"
AS concrete evidence of what was
accomplished, the report shows that
on October ] thero were 338 United
States naval ships abroad with 5000
officers and 10000 enlisted men. or a
greater force than the total strength
of the Navy when war was declared;
while the Americans fighting craft has
steamed al average of $4,000 miles
per month In the war zone. This did
not include the cruisers and battle
ships on escort duty. OF the first de-
stroyHrs to go over the Porter steam
ed 64,473 miles. the Connyngham g.
952 and the Davis 63,015.
The major naval operation of the
war so far as the United States is
concerned is given as the conveying
OF more than 100000 troops to Europe
without the loss by enemy action of
@ single eastbcund transport
Writing with pride Of the record Of
the marine brigade in France, the sec
rotary shows that with only 5000 of
the corps engaged, the casualties num-
hored 60 officers and 1,531 men dead
76 officers and 2.435 men seriously
wounded, while but 81 marines are
officially reported as captured by the
enemy, illustrating the desperate char
acter OF the fighting in which the bri-
gade participated, and the fact that it
was always advancing.
ITO the United States Marines" Mr.
Daniels says, lighting side by side
with equally brave and equally cour
hgeous men in the American army, 10
that faithful sea and land force of
the navy, fell the honor Of taking over
tho lines where the blow of the Prus-
sian would strike the hardest, the line
that was nearest Paris, and where
should n breech occur, all would be
lost"
The report also pays tribute to the
patriotic cooperation the department
has received from shipbuilders, mu-
milton manufacturers and the heads of
all the allied industries
Press Is Praised.
The secretary holds much of this
satisfactory condition to have been
due to the loyal cooperation of the
heads of the American Federation of
Labor"
Mr.. Daniels expresses appreciation
Of the work done by George Creel,
chairman of the COMMITTEE on Public
Information, and has this to say of
the American press:
The most intimate relationship be.
tween FIR. Creel and the department
has been productive of genuine CO.
operation in a service that was new
in our country and not easy to carry
out successfully. The spirit OF the
press, which periodically responded to
the appeal for voluntary censorship,
can not be too highly commended"