The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16
NEW SHIP DESIGN
MAY SCRAP FLEETS
Composite Cruiser-Battleship
Plan Will Be Studied
by Daniels.
NAVAL VIEWS SOUGHT
If Substitute Type Is Adopted
1t Would RevOlutiOnizc
Construction.
NAVAL VIEWS SOUGHT

WASHINGTON. March 15.--Important
conclusions which probably will DE re-
hected later at Paris In the discussion OF
a Limitation OF naval ornaments are
pected here to grow out of the forthcom-
ing conferences between Secretary DAN
iels and his aids and European admir-
atty officials. Tho Secretary sailed to-
day accompanied by his three chief tech
meal advisers.
While the main object OF the trip of
the American officials Il to gather infor-
nation upon which the Navy Depart
ment can bsSo a report TO Congress rel
alive TO the proposal to substitute gigan-
tic composite cruiser battleships for pres
ent day capital war vessels, the fact
thai such n programme would render all
existing fleets obsolete and that its cost
would be enormous increases the belief
OF many officials here that the project
will be taken up at the Peace Confer
ence.
Pending the return of the Secretary
and more complete intraservice discus
sion, naval officials generally are in
clined TO defer judgment as to the advis-
ability of adopting the composite ship
programme. They take the view that
even in its narrowest and strictly amer
lean aspect the proposal raises questions
of such far reaching nature that indi-
v,dusl opinions should have no weight
IN arriving at the answer. Only the
consensus of the seasoned and trained
judgment of the service. they argue,
should be considered by Congress when
the Departments report is presented.
More Than National Matter.
According to the view held here even
the American thirty-five knot battle
cruiser project now held up to await a
decision on the greater question of COM
posite ships has in 1t elements that make
IT. more than a purely national matter
under present conditions.
It is understood that progress toward
the construction OF the gigantic battle
cruisers, six OF which already have been
authorized, has been watched with some
concern b. British naval authorities.
since II has appeared likely they would
necessitate additions to the British naval
budget. There Is little doubt among
m Officials here that. the British
VT. WELCOME an international under
statjing at Paris which would eliminate
TIN source OF expenditure.
The standard fighting ship of to-day
IL the lperdreadnought. In the Ameri-
oan an British navies a vessel with {
speed o. approximately 20 knots, an ar
mament of twelve 16 inch guns an
armor belt varying from IL to IA inches
IN thickness and a displacement OF about
$4,000 tons. Such a ship costs about
$50. 900, 900. The United States has ten
OF them under construction or author
lied and the naval appropriation bill
which failed in the final hours of the
Sast Congress authorized ten more for
the next three years.
The proposed ship now urged by some
American officers would have a speed
OF 20 knots. carry twelve Is inch guns
an armor belt OF from IL to IA inches
displace about $1,000 tons and cost
s40,o00.ooo. This type would carry the
same offensive and defensive power az
the superdreadnoughts and would make
six knots an hour greater speed. The
price OF this increased speed, officers de
clare. would be doubled cost OF con
struction and almost double size. the lat
ter carrying with 1t far reaching engi