The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-12-19
NAvY'S BIG
TASK told
By DANIELS
tsy.U.lses Pre~~.,

tny rsnea Pres~.)
washington. Dec. 1o.-Competitsve
t.nsldsss 81 mighty weapons OF war IL
drawing to a close. The tax burden
Of This kind of competition will soon
be lifted.
Secretary of Navy Daniels predicts
this In his annual report published
Monday. But he, points out that the
three-year naval building program he
IL urging is essential because. under
I,he proposed league Of nations. the
United States will have to contribute
a force commensurate with It's wealth
and responsibilities.
The view he advances is not dissim-
liar To that he has presented privately
TO Congress-, and more or less openly
TO the press.
End 10 In SIGHT.
But today he went on record thus:
The day Is not far distant when the
wossa will witness an end Of competi-
tive building between nations OF
mighty weapons Of var. In the peace
treaty there will undoubtedly be in
corporated President WQson's pro-
posal for a reduction Of armament to
the lowest point consistent rith do
nestic safety
"Navies win still be needed as an
International police force to compel
compliance with the decree OF an in
ternstion tribunal which will be set
up to decide differences between ma
tIons. Naval vessels win have large
peace tasks OF surveys and discovery
and protection in addition TO police
duty Of an international as we'll as OF
a national character.
Our Contribution.
.1nasmuch an the United States Ia
the richest OF the great nations and
has suffered less in war than any OF
the Allied powers, Il win devoive upon
fhis country TO make q contribution to
the navy to preserve the peace Of the
world commemorate with it's wealth.
It's commerce. its growing and expand
ing merchant marine. and its leader
ship In the council Of free peoples. II
IL therefore our duty now not. indeed
to enter upon any new and ambitious
naval program, but to 70 forward
steadily upon the lines Of naval In
crease to which the country. commit
ted Itself by the adoption three years
tive naval program In the history OF
the republic. have recommended TO
this Congress the adoption Of an
other three-year program substantially
like the one authorized in 1915. BSs
the victory of the Allies and the Unit
ec States should. and win ] sincerely
trust. within a few years make II no
longer necessary for amy nation under
whip and spur 10 burden its taxpas-
ers to undertake to build. 10 compe,i-
tive construction. bigger hEhiinE ships
tion can construct.
Il have concluded each OF my i've
annual reports with an earnest express
sion OF the hope that an International
agreement could be reached for the
reduction OF armament and The en-
ployment of naval strength under such
plans by all the nations as would give
validity TO international decrees and
strong enough to keep insoiiate the
peace OF the world. What argument
and reason in time of peace could not
secure. the tragic lesson OF war will
obtain. II will come. purchased At
cost OF the lives OF our choicest youths.
a cost far greater than all ;he wealth
Of the world. but its attainment will be
one o; the compensations for the suf'
ferings and the deaths OF our valorous
youths II will insure the world against
n repetition OF this terrible war"
Benson 10 Advisor.
Daniels reveals definitely that Ad-
miral Benson win be American naval
advisor at the peace conference.
The secratary's report is largely =
review of the navy's greatness in the
war. Praise for the teamwork is
given freely.
The navy had sss ships abroad In
october with $4,000 men and officers.
Some OF the navy's achievemen's
not hitherto emphasized are recorded,
condensed. herewith
Destroyers steamed an average OF
275.000 miles O month.
During July and August last. Amer
lean escort vessels accompanied 81
4i4,012, tons of shipping TO and froin
France.
More than 10000 American mines
L..