New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-02
Z. S. 10 Have
Big Fleets in
Both Oceans
War Games and Joint Ma
nnuvres Next Summer to
Keep Navy ION Its Toes
Daniels Explains the Plan
Recommends 81 $500, 900 Be
Spent TO Add Land to
New Work Navy Yard

WASHINGTON. Jan. Ito keep the
United States navy aft and on its
toes" two great fleets, one based on
the Pacific Coast and the other on the
Atlantic Coast will be established by
next summer with war games and joint
manuuvres as part OF a regular pro
grammd Of training.
Secretary Daniels. in explaining his
plans to the House Naval Committee
to-day, SAID that after every war there
was tendency for the navy to retro
grade and that the feet division had
been determined upon to prevent any
slump The plan, lie said. had received
the "enthusiastic Endorsement Of Adj
niral William s. Benson. chic OF
operations. now in Europe wish the
peace delegation.
war" Between Fice.s
An admiral who can stay long
enough to stir up ambition will be
placed in command OF each feet, Mr..
Daniels SAID. and all officers viii be
kept on their ships for two years. III
effect the Secretary added, there will
be war between the Atlantic and Pa
citc fleets, (which will SO stimulate the
keeDNeSS, tndC IL VIII make the men
feel they are in actual war"
Mr. Dariels did not indicate TO the
committee how many ships would be in
each fleet. 1t is assumed. however.
that there VIII be an equal distribution
of the capital ships. most OF which
heretofore have been kept on the At
lantic Coast During joint mannuvrcs
the combined feet will visit each coast
so as to give the people en- the Atlantic
NnH BarIffr hnardo =
10 see the full naval force.
To Keep Submarine Bases
The Pacific fleet, the Secretary ex-
planned, always has been smaller than
the Atlantic, and during the war all inn
portant craft were Withdrawn from the
Pacific Tor serving IN the war; one. In
the past, he added, naval officers have
dlsIiked ass gnment TO the Pacific fleet
but the new plan was expected to re-
move this feeling.
Mr.. Daniels also told the committee
that during peace times the submarine
bases at San Diego. Cal, Key West.
Fla, and New London. Conn. aud the
air defense stations at San Diego and
Pensacola. Fla. viii be retained. The
principal training stations Tor seamcn
III tho East will be in Chicago. Hamp-
ION Roads and Newport, r. /.
The yards at the Panama Canal, in
HAWAII AID Mare Island and at Puget
sound. nc said, can care amply for all
1hc ships III the new Pacific fleet. Dur
ing man@uvres both fleets will be on
one coast.
He recommended that S2.5o0.ooo be
appropriated for purchasing land ad-
Jacent to the New York Navy Yard
which was owned AZ one time by the
government, but which was sold in 1891
and lSo5 The growth Of the navy
yaN now makes necessary the repul-
chase OF the land, he said.
To Study Conditions
Secretary Daniels and Admiral Ben
son plan TO visit the Pacific coast next
summer TO study conditions there with
Vicw TO recommending extension o.
navy yards, while other officials Will
visit Eastern Yards for the same uur-
pose. In this connection, the Score
tary recommended that Congress wait
until its next session before providing
funds for additions to the yards, as the
present plants can care for both fleets
Tor some time.
Increase in the permanent enlisted
strength OF the marine corps from IL
400 to 26,297 men was recommended.
ne temporary force now includes 90
900 men.
The marine corps must be kept 10
4 place that is not large" Mr.. Daniels
aid 1T would be the worst possible
'"ns to make the marines another
army.
report showing the strength Of thu
Japanese navy was submitted by fl,s,
Secretary 20 fll out the reports Of The
comparative strength Of the navies ii
the slx other largo powers which he
gave Ionaay. J. shows - battleships
and building or projected, 7 battle
cruisers, 10 cruiser, IS light cruisers
and more building or projected. )
armored coast defence vessels, &C de-
sfroyers and % building or projected.
10 hrst class torpedo boats, second
class torpedo boats. IS submarines ard
~ building and projected and 2 air
ships and SO miscellaneous vessels.