Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-31

>o~N~~-"~~-~~~~>~~-o~~>~~ IS battleships, four battle cruisers. l2 heaVy ana 5 light cruisers, l2S des. tfcyers, 54 submarines, 13 torpedo boats, IA airships and 90 miscellan eOus vessels
 In reducing from $2OO 100000 to $55 100000 the amount asked for work on the new building program during the year beginning next July, secre- tafy Daniels said that some further construction was necessary "because we want some more modern ships in our police force"
 MT. Danlesl gave the committee a report showing the relative strengths of the navies of the leading nations of the world. Figures for the Japanese navy were not available, it was said. Besides the reduction for the new building program, the secretary sub- mltted new estimates reducing the to- tai asked for the navy during the next year to $995,903,0 ,00O. The original esti- mates submitted to congress- drawn while the war in progress, totaned S2.- 6S4,3O7 ,000. Pay of the navy under the new estimates would amount to $21l- IO0O,OO0 the Secretary recommending no permanent increase in personnel but asking for a temporary increase to 2oO,G0O men until after the peace conference when a definite policy as to the permanent esta tablishment can be formed. A huge increase in personnel was contemplated if the war had con tinued, the estimates originally call ing for $579,964 ,OOO.
 The principal reductions included the elimination of the following items: i New batteries $115,O00,00O: torpe- does and appliances $125, 5,OO0.0OO; re- serve ordnance supplies $77,609,442 Reductions were made in all items re- maining in the bill, the most import ant being: Ordnance $21,O44,O ,O0O; pro- visions $144, .0O0; Naval emergen- cy fund $115,545, ,Oo0; medical depart ment $3.75O.OO0; repairs s$37 800 ,O0O; Engineering $35,000,O00.
 The principal amounts recommend ed include aviation $36,00O,0O0; ord nance $53,955,000; provisions $57,- 790,OO0; emergency fund $61 ,S55, ,0O0; medical department $3,75O,OOO; repair of ships $37,500,00O; engineering $35,- 0OO,OO0
 In urging the adoption by Congress of new year building program, Sec retary Daniels said the program was conservative. He also said that con- struction of big ships, delayed during the war so that small c, aft to fight submarines could Be built, will be pushed as rapidly as possible.
 "It is our duty to consider the obl- gations imposed upon America if the peace conference now occupied at Yer sailles completed it's work construct ively and satisfactorily as we all hope it will do," said Mir. Daniels. Let us assume that this conference will give to some plan looking toward a concert of the nations for the maintenance of peace. It will be some manner of body to which differing nations will per- force submit their differences for .ad- judication and which will be sufficient ly powerful to induce acceptance of it's decisions when once they shall be made. Back of that must lie a tremedn- ous police power capable of compelling the disputants to accept the decisions of the arbitrators.
 "It seems self evident that a world police must be established to achieve this purpose no matter what the constitution or plan of operation of the peace league may be. The world police will be very largely naval. If the United States is to participate in such a movement it must participate upon a<scale commensurate with it's wealh. intelligence, great population and scientific attainments.