The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-03-11
STOP WORK ON
BATTLE CRUISERS
Daniels Wants to Find Out
Best Type of Vessel
to Build
WHOLE PROGRAM
g MAY BE ALTERED
Divergence of Views of Naval Board
and officers on War Duty as to What
is Most Practical Ship to Build-Gen-
erai Conference to Be Held.

WASHINGTON. March, H.-Possibilityi |
the navy, involving an expenditure oil
nearly 100000 viii be abandoned in
favor of a new type of cruiser battleship
was Indicated last night by an announce
ment that Secretary Daniels had ordered
Suspension Of work on the Ska So knot
tcruisers already authorized, until de-
cision as to the future type Of capital
I ship could be reached.
4 wide difference of opinion exists
among American naval officers as TO
whether the slow battlesllip and the fast
cruiser should not give way in the future
to a ship combining the power Of the one
and nearly tho speed Of the other, and be-
4 cause OF this fact congressional commit
tees have deferred action on six addition
al cruisers until a full report ON new
! types can be made by the department.
After Secretary Daniels, who sails for
: Europe Saturday, returns and before CON
! gross meets in extra session probably in
the early summer general conference
. Of naval experts win take place, at which
{ a majority opinion OF experienced officers
| VII Ut Abihtu out ds ~ WHAT v pco OF
capital ships should be built.
This statement was aathofizcd by sec
: etary Daniels:
/ The conclusion relating to the type Of
apital ships resulting from a close study
II naval activities OF the present war
,as created snch difference OF opinion
5 mong naval experts that the SECRETARY
/ IF the navy has directed the temporary
suspension Of the building Of the larg,
! nattle cruisers.
Admiral Mayo, the conlmander-in-chie
< # the United States Atlantic feet, wheI
e 3efore the committee on naval affairs o
q he house. stated that IN his opinion thu
y most effective capital ship Of today i
lie l high-speed battIeship which carries tn
: great gun-power and armof protection 0
r battleship and rs much as possible o
Il the high speed Of a battle cruiser
/ Such naval experts. as Admiral Benson
and Admiral Sims as result Of their oh
ervations and study abroad, concur il
n the opinion OF admiral Mayo. Many o
4 he navy department likewise concur il
n this opinion that the battle cruiser a
:. planned should be proceeded with an
r 5attleships OF slower speed, greater CUR
20 power and greater protection be likews
constructed.
oil Because OF the difference Of opinio
at lmong naval experts. the large amoun
Of Of money involved between Sls0.o00,00
q md s200,000,0G0l, and tic great qiestio
ty Of fighting efficiency being involved. til
IN ecretary OF the navy has directed tempo
Y rlry suspension OF the construction
~ the battle cruisers. Little of the work o
en- ne huh has been done Some OF I'll
electrical machinery has been started b,
is not contemplated that the delay
two months or so will be such as serious
Il interfere vita the proper decision
to the matter.
1t is because OF the difference OF Opt
;. on among experts and to studyirq nav
ne | lessons taught by the war that the Sc
cd rotary Of the navy is taking the chic
n Y the technical bureau Of the navy d
or aartn'ent with him to Europe to stuC
er- The question with naval experts, ~and O
&c. tain such other technical information
'rt is possible while abroad from studies
ls 'oreign plans and specifications.