Evening journal., 1919-01-02
j. 5. To have
TWO OCEAN FLEETS
War Games and Joint Ma
noeuvres to Keep Navy
"On its Toes
DANIELS EXPLAINS
THE ARRANGEMENTS

NnoAAA-N1 O-Nf Jdlls ~s-~AU htIH AA9
United States navy "fit and on rs toes"
two great fleets. one based on the Pa
cinc Coast and the other on the Atlantic
Coast. will be established by next sum
mer with war games and joint man
euvers as a part OF a regular program
OF training
Secretary Daniels, in explaining his
plans TO the House Naval Committee
said that after every war there was a
tendency for the navy TO retrograde and
that the fleet division had been deter
mined upon 10 prevent any slump. The
plan, he said. had received the "en-
thusiastic Endorsement" Of Admiral VII
liam 5. Benson. chief OF operations, now
in Europe with the peace delegation.
An admiral who can stay long
enough to stir up ambition" will be
plated in command OF each feet. Mr.
Daniels said, and all officers will be
kept on their ships for two years. In
effect, the secretary added, there Will
be a war between the Atlantic and Pa
cihc fleets, (which will so stimulate the
keenness, that It will make the men feel
they are In actual war"
Mr.. Daniels did not indicate 10 the
committee how many ships would be In
each feet. It is assumed, however, that
there will be an equal distribution OF
the capital ships, most OF which here
tofore have been kept on the Atlantic
Coast. During Joint maneuvers the
combined feet Will visit each coast so
as to give the people on the Atlantic
and Pacific seaboards an opportunity
to see the full naval force.
The Pacific fleet, the secretary eX-
planned always has been smaller than
the Atlantic, and during the war all i'm
pOrtant craft were Withdrawn from the
Pacific for service in the war zone. In
the past. he added. naval officers have
disllked assignment 10 the Pacific fleet,
but the new plan was expected TO re-
move the 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, and the
air defense stations at San Diego and
Pensacola, Fla, will be retained. The
principal training stations for sesmen
in the East will be in Chicago, Hamp-
ton Roads and Newport. r. l.
The yards at the Panama Canal, in
Hawaii and Mare Island and at Puget
Sound, ne said, can care amply for all
the ships in the new Pacific fleet. Dur
ing maneuyers both fleets will be on
one coast.
lie recommended that s2,5OO,OOO be ap-
propriated for purchasing land ada
cent to the New York Navy Yard. which
was owned at one time by the govern
ment, but which was sold In 1891 and
1895, The growth OF the navy yard now
makes necessary the repurchase OF the
land, ne said.
Secretary Daniels and Admiral Benson
plan TO visit the Pacific Coast next sum
mer 20 study conditions there with a
view TO recommending extension OF
navy yards. while other officials VIII
visit Eastern yards for the same pur-
pose. In this connection, the Secre-
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
for some time.
Increase I'm the permanent enlisted
Of the marine corps from H.
400 to 26,297 men was recommended. The
temporary force now includes 5000
men.
"The marine corps must be kept 10
a place that is not large Mr.. Daniels
said 1T would be the worst possible
thing to make the marines another
army"
A report showing the strength Of the
Japanese navy was submitted by the
secretary 10 MI out the reports Of the |
comparative strength Of the navies OF I
the six other large powers which he 1
gave Monday. Il shows 80 battleships |
and 1 building or projected. battle |
cruisers. 10 cruisers, IS light cruisers |
and 7 more building or projected, 8
armored coast defense vessels, 66 de- !
siroyers and % building or projected, |
i6 flrst-class torpedo boats, s second |
class torpedo boats. IS submarines and /
p building and projected and ? air
ships and 63 miscellaneous vessels.