The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-31
MAYO URGES NAVY
LARGEST IN WORLD
Says Now Is Logical Time,
With Other Countries Too
Busy to Question.
ASKS 16 CAPITAL SHIPS
Likens League Of Nations to a
Sewing Circle without
Means Of Force.
Snecinl Dkannfch 10 TIE suS.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3o.-Admiral Mayo
commander in chief OF the Atlahic
fleet. relegated the league or natiohs W
the same category as women's sewing
bee and told the House Naval Commit
tee to-day that without regard to the
possible outcome of the Peace corner
ence the United States should embark
Immediately upon naval building pro
gramme to construct the strongest navy
in the world.
From what read" said Admiral
Mayo. the league Of nations Is fast pc
coming a little sewing circle without
power OF enforcement and without any
international police force. II any inter-
national police force were established
the United States Navy In It's present
condition would not be able to con-
tribute it's full share"
The proportions Of Admiral Mayos
proposed building programme LETT the
committee almost aghast In the race
OF the much more modest proposal OF the
General Board approved and urged by
Secretary Daniels, the Atlantic fleet
commander urged the imme diate laying
down OF sixteen additional capital ships
| Of new and advanced type and provision
| for maintenance of war strength per-
sonnet for all ships afloat during peace
times.
Years Cost Above e1.OOO,O0O,OOO.
The committee estimated that the ad-
ditional building programme itself would
| involve immediate expenditure and au-
fluctuations of $1,000. 900. 900. and the
cost of upkeep for the navy would be
represented IN annual naval appropria-
ton bills Of 81. 00O, 100000 or more.
As to the type OF the new capital ships
| Admiral Mayo urged that the armor be
| lightened to twelve inch. the deck pro-
lection increased and every possible eff
| fort made to attain a combination or the
heavy armament of the dreadnought
| type and the speed and cruising radius
| OF the battle cruiser.
| In view Of the almost certain decision
OF the Naval Committee to trim down
| Secretary Danielss programme TO some
extent at least the proposals of Ad-
| miral Mayo fell on unsympathetic ears.
Representative Browning On. j.. who
always has been big navy man. said
to-day that his opposition TO a greater
| building programme at this time was
| based on the uncertainty OF the world
situation.
| Representative Butler and clear ma =
| jority OF the committee, Il Is under
stood. favor a bill carrying approx
mately $3.50. 100000. q permanent per-
| ~
| and a temporary additional personnel
of $4,000. exclusive of officers The
Marine Corps probably will be held In
the committee bill to $4,000.
says Now 10 Logical Time.
| This Is the time for the expansion OF
the navy" Admiral Mayo told the com
mittee. European countries that in nor
NAL times would question our expansion
are taken up with reconstruction and are
war weary.
Financial centres are about TO shift
| from Europe to America, with all the
resultant jealousies. II We should post
pone upbuilding the navy now other ma
tons may be inclined to question il:
| will ask why We are expanding, and
whether our policy conflicts with theira
| But II We do 1t now the policy VIII not
be questioned by other nations.
Everything considered. my idea u
that this is the exact tine to go tie
limit in expanding the navy. The very
| wisest thing that Congress can do, In my
opinion. would be to authorize sixteen
capital ships with their type, character.
armor and speed to be determined upon
| after an exhaustive review OF all the
information We now have or can get as
to the best type Of fighting craft. BY all
means we ought to have aviation ships
as auxiliaries to our fleet"
Admiral Mayo said that further In
creases in the smaller types OF ship
would not be necessary at this time.
Except for the British navy, he went
on, our navy would have been in sore
straits at the time OF our entering the
war. This country owes tremendous
debt TO the British navy for holding the
! German navy in check" He said ou-
ships were at about half strength in Of
fcers and men because of their peace
complement and added depletion neces-
STATED In the training OF officer candi-
dates.