Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-02
PROPOSES TO DIVIDE
NAVY BETWEEN COASTS
Secretary Daniels Would Keep Fleets
of Equal Strength III At
lantic and Pacific.
COMPETITION WILL BE KEEN
Naval Head Thinks High State Of
Efficiency May BE Maintained by
Matching One Fleet Against Other.
Admiral Benson Approves Idea.
IBr Associated pres..l

WASHINGTON. January by next
, summer the navy will be equally di-
rided into two great fleets. TO be known
formally as the Atlantic and Pacific
fleets. Secretary Daniels described the
program to-day to the House Naval
Committee. explaining that approval of
II by Admiral Benson. chief of opera
tions. was received last night from
Europe
1T is the prime aim Of course. to
keep the navy fit" declared Mr.. Dan
iels. land the only way to keep it on
its toes is to have competition between
fleets. We will, in effect. have Il war
between the Atlantic and Pacific fleets,
which will SO stimulate the keenness
that IL will make the men feel they are
IN actual war
No extension of navy gard facilities
is necessary. the secretary said. He
declared also that only existing coastal
air defense stations Will continue in
service. two main stations being main
other at san Diego. Cal.
Fleet officers. he said. will be kep;
on the ships at least two years. The
always has. been smaller than the AT
lantic and during the war all important
for service in the war zone. In the
past. he added. naval officers have dis
liked assignment TO the Pacific fleet,
but the new plan was expected to re-
move this feeling.
STRENGTH OF JAPANESE
NAVY is SUBMITTED
a report showing the strength of
/ the Japanese navy. was submitted by
the secretary 10 fill out the reports
OF the comparative strength of the ma
yisS Of The si Mon 0'her large
teen ka,tleships and four building or
projected, seven battle cruisers: ten
more or
armored coast defense vessels, sixty
/ six destroyers and twenty-three build :
toFpede Boats. eish, second class tor Tor
pedo boats. sixteen submarines and
, I'VE s;-SS;en eui!ding or protested
laneous vessels;
,,a Exap.lsainiEs n HE puTpos;ss of dividing
AFTER every War there is a tendency
for the navy 10 retrograde. We need
the stimulus OF eompeti,ion and few
fee, division and sent ii 70 Adrira
BENSON; i, was returned las, nigh,
the very best admirals an admiral
VINO can stay long enough to stir III
ambition. have directed the Bureau
! OF Navigation 10 have officers remain
petition will keep the navy on its toes
and Admiral benson eSpeeted ' to yis iii
the Pacific coas, next summer. He said
yard improvements should no, be de
oppor,un!ty 10 recommend extension
The yards al the Panama Canal. i,
Hawaii and az Mare Island and Puset
SOUND he said. can care amply for al
the ships in the new Pacific Meet. Dur
one coast.
Aviation expenditures had been lin
] n erfr, -al
and equipment. The secretary declared
IN n nnn mn mending an appropriation OF
coastal air defense stations has beer
abandoned.
MAKE MARINE CORPS
PERSONNEL 26,cs7 MEN
Increase OF the marine corps from
| 1900 10 1921 men was recomn end d
me temporary force now includes so
pase 1Rs: s sa; ns:s ss sR,
thing 10 make the marines another
Asked whether marines should be
kept OFF ships as once ordered. Secre.
Naval officers are as proud of .hs
I record OF the marines as are the of
Gers and the marines themselves; and
der put back into effect"
He recommended that the law o.
selection OF officers be made TO apply
10 all those in The marine corps rank.
ing as captain.
Large Submarine bases are to b,
/ maintained by the navy during peace
times at New London, Conn; San Diego
Cali. and Key West, Fla. Secretar,
Daniels told the committee during
discussion Of proposed appropria tior
or s3:oce:eoo for increasing the watei
mile pipe line. kThese bases. he said
VIII AFFORD ample protection to IN,
| great ports from enemy ATTACKS
/ In discussing the proposed purchas,
OF additional land a. Newport. r. /,
secretary Daniels said il was the plar
OF the Navy Department 10 make New
port. Chicago and Hampton Roads IN,
SITES for the big permanent naTa