Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-31
us. NAVY MUST Be
WORLDS BIGGEST
This Is Conditional Upon Forma-
ton of League of
Nations.
DANIELS TELLS COMMITTEE
Secretary Says Present Building
Program Will Keep Fleet
in Second Place.
DANIELS TELLS COMMITTEE
tBy Associated Press !

WASHINGTON, December 3O-Cnless
a league OF nations or other tribunal
that will make certain the Limitation
of international armament is estap-
lished. the United States must build
the greatest navy in the world. Sec
rotary Daniels to-day told the House
Naval Affairs Committee.
1T is the firm conviction" declared
the secretary, that If the conference
ut Versailles does not result in n gen
efal agreement to put an end 10 naval
building on the part of all the ma
tions. then the United States must bend
her VIII and bend her energies must
give her men and give her money 10
the task of the creation of incompar-
ABLY the greatest navy in the world"
With the completion of the proposed
new three-year building program. ad-
ding ten Dreadnoughts, six battle
cruisers ten scout cruisers and 1870
smaller craft to the fleet. America
still will rank second in naval strength
to Great Britain, said the secretary
who appeared before the committee
1920 naval bill.
Does the President back the policy
10 make us the first naval power in
ley: of Michigan.
Yes, If competitive building is to
continued: said Mr.. Daniels. I'VE are
no" easily the second naval power.
first" "
AMERICA MUST PROVIDE
LARGE PART OF LEAGUE FLEET
The naval secretary said that if a
league OF nations Is established Amer
world police force necessary To on
force the leagues DEGREES. He added.
however. that with such "a league
formed 1t would not be necessary 10
carry on the full construction program,
anu asked the committee to include I'm
ihe bill legislation empowering the
I,resident to stop construction at his
discretion IL Say International agree
ment should make limitation OF armo
ment certainty.
..5 IN ooo oredpcing e6n from s2oo.ooO.OoO to
on the new building program during
the year. beginning next July, Secre.
tary Daniels said that some further
construction was necessary because
QUE police force" - -. .--p 20 -
Mr.. Daniels gave the Committee. a
report showing the relative strength
the world. Figures for the Japanes.
navy were not available, il was said
GREAT BRITAIN HAS
sIXTY-oNE BATTLEsIIIPs
:, Britain has in operation or building
beav~ s'e,eships. cr,sisIn Is battle cruisers, 81
pa5roi pid ,, and gunboats. 400 destroyers.
s fio,,,5a s5uom1arines. marines. Ss torpedo boats. s2
misceilaneons i esasrs aTsb5s 2sP airshPs % and ss
states. with tho second largest navy
IN the world, has built or proiected
I,,orsd n' oat'ieships. ,i battle cruisers. ar
Iiored cruisers, 40 light cruisers. 3Io
destroyers, 1Sl submarines, Is coast
9cnPedo vessels, Ia torpedo boats and
5b9 other vessels. 1
France
ers. light cruisers, % destrovers
III torpedo boats, 40 submarines 40
a,iurships and 1ss other craft italy has
cruisers. monitors. is fiotilla Leaders
% destroyers. So torpedo boats. Sh
submarines. sa sai1,marines. 80 airships and 4ia mis-
Russia. before quitting the war b,a
Is oattleships. 4 battle cruisers. 19
seavy sssoysra and 9 night cruisers; 12s de-
vessels e'ia'eous
Before the armistice was signed
iany cruissrsy had - battleships. s battle
stroyers. 175 torpedo boats. a43 sun
marines and 56i miscellaneous ves-
sells. feS-
Besides the reduction for the new
building program. the secretary sub
nt,.ed .a,at new estimates reducing the
neHt year asked tSr saa The aos navy during
estimates submitted to Congress. drawn
tailed $2,664.3o7. 900 "
WANTS TEMPORARY
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL,
Inc secretary recommended no per
innnent increase in personnel, but
asked for temporary increase to
aoo'Ouo men until definite policies as
20 The permanent establishment can
be framed. vt"
establishment OF league, the secrel
tary said that America in protecting
Sn,a small nations and preserving the free.
Iof, no,,, of 1he seas must have q navy as
world" o" III TIC