Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-16
PEACE DELEGATES
MAY STUDY NAV|ES
Expect Reflection at Paris of
Secretary Daniels Visit
to Europe.
PROBLEM IN NEW TYPES
Effort Made to Halt Competi-
ton and Great Expendi-
lures for Ships.
PROBLEM IN NEW TYPES
tBy Negotiated Pres. !


WASHINGTON, March 15.-Important
conclusions which probably will be re-
hccted later at Paris in discussion Of
limitation OF naval ornaments, arc ef
pected here to grow out of the forth
coming conferences between Secretary
Daniels and his aides and European
Admiralty officials. The secretary
sailed today, accompanied by his three
chief technical advisers, -
While the main object OF the trim
OF the american officials is to gather
Information upon which the Navy De-
partment can base Il report to Con.
sress relative to tho propo5sal to sub
stitute gigantic composite }cruiser bat
v y,ssni}ps ,S present day capital war
would render all exis.iuE fleets obao.
lete and that it's cost would be enor-
nous, insure. In the view of many
1 faTna s, mere, that. the project will be
lahct up at the peace conferences
Pending the return of the secretary
a a,,u more complete intra-seryicc dis
esus 1;, naval officials generally are
advfsability .ofsadopting the composIte
ship program. ~
BUILDING OF VESSELS
INTERNATIONAL QUESTION
- In the yiewihere even the America
to await decision; on the greater
question ofycomposite ships, has in If
enrniy n. that make it more than a
c pnrsiif ton naval 4 matter under present
naval building is to continue other
powers must provide similar ships as
not ne , evsm .Great Britain has built or
In their own preculiar sphere. : -
con u. .t Is un;derstood progress toward the
eeusers SIX as,ebg igansss battle
VIII some concern BY British, naval
atSn en wo,s since !. has appeared likely
British naval budget.
IheTe Is little doubt among most
eHiciais' here the British wodId Welcome
an an internaticnal conference at Paris
expenditure. The standard hrhfjne.
ship Of today is the superdrea dnaurht
IN the American and British navies a
~. ssei with a speed of approximately
guns; an arnior belt varying from 13
10 Is inches in thickness and a dis
placement of about $1,000 tros.t Isl,
TEN ;isCPEnDHEAnNA FISH
81 "A AHls y NREsssS fiction
= such ship costs about $4,000. 900.
under 3cons fnstio5a or authortoed 'a snd
the naval appropriation bill which
failed in the. final hours OF the last
congress authorized ten more for the
next three years.
The proposed ship now urged by
some American officers would have
speed Of % knots. carry twelve 16-
men guns, an armor belt OF from IL to
II inches, displace about $4,000 tons
and cost s40,000,00o. 1t would carry
the same offensive and defensive power
as the superdreadnaughts. and would
make six knots an hour greater speed.
The price of this increased speed.
officers declare, would be a doubled
cost of construction and almost double
size. the latter carrying with it far
reaching engineering changes in har-
bors, navy yards and dry docks to
accommodate such monster craft. No
such vessels have been built or pro-
tected by any other power so far as
is known.
This "composite" battleship, for
which Admiral, Mayo, commander in
chief OF tho Atlantic feet, Vice-Admira1
Sims, commanding abroad, and many
other high officers who have served
overseas. have contended. is supposed
to represent the maximum attainable
in speed without the sacrifice OF gun