Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-02-03
INDICATIONS ARE
VAST NAVAL PLAN
WILL BE FULFILLED

Onls World DEsarmament MlM Serve
Te cheek Tnlaea States Naval En-
tensien Preeram of vast Scale
uniess world disarmament becomes
i certainty through international
agreement at Paris, the administra-
tion's policy of vast naval expansion,
recommending new three year
building program of ten great bat-
tleships and ten scout craiesrs which
has been approved BY the Naval
House committee will be carried out.
Four democrats an NO republi-
cans were understood to have op-
posed the program as originally OUT
lined, but their approval vas given
after an amendment was accepted
providing that work on the new ships
should not begin ontil after February
/, 1920. Administration leaders said
the vote waa. an Endorsement OF the
program ANNOUNCED by Secretary Dan
iels for an American navy second TO
none. unless limitations are imposed
on all nations By the peace confer
ence. Should an agreement for such
limi alton be reached. the bill pro-
yides that the president may stop con-
struetion at his discretion
Battle Cruiser Plan Delayed
While the program, As recommend
cd. does not authorize the six battle
cruisers and IS0 other smaller craft
asked for By the department, II vas
explained that Ii had been decided to
postpone construc ION Of these vessels
until naval experts could reach agree
ment as To their designs based on ex-
perience gained In the war.
The agreement OF the committee
vas reached st q long executive ses-
sion, after which Chairman Padgett,
smilingiy, announced that the decision
had been unanimous.
Mr.. Padgett said the completed
naval bill would carry q total of $780,
900, 900. Of which 1863 900 600 would be
for ship construction
work of completing the bill for. IN
PRODUCTION In the house was expected
TO be finished by Saturday. and Mr..
Padgett said he hoped 70 get the
measure before the house this week
AuthDrixes Force 81 225,O00 Men
Besides providing for the new builds
ing program, the bill authorizes
temporary naval force 81 225,0O0 men
exclusive or officers, and carries an
amendment BY Representative Oliver,
og Alabama. direcs1n6 that men who
enlisted III the navy during the war
FOR the regular term Of four years
shall be regarded as having enlisted
FOR the period OF the war II they apply
FOR such change Of status, before next
July i
After the committees decision Il
was learned thEt the navy general
board, headed BY Rear Admiral Flet-
cher. is studying the question of mill
fary characteristics of new ships close
II. but has not as yet reached definite
conclusions.
No Big Changes In Design
The one point on which there ap-
pears to be substantial agreement II
that no very radical departures IN
battleship or battle cruiser design has
grown out Of the great struggle. The
engagements or heavy craft we're too
few TO AFFORD any clear cut lessons, It
was said, and the development Of
these vessels continues to be largely
on theoretical lines.
The last American battleships au-
thorized were designed for displace-
ment Of $4,000 tons, carrying twelve
sixteen inch guns In their main bat
teries ard having 4 speed Of twenty
three knots
The six battle cruisers for the navy
authorized in 1916 constitute the mcst
radical departure In naval design n1ade
by any nation, ii was held, because of
their great speed and heavy batteries
They were designed for speed Of IS
knots and to carry eight sixteen-inch
guns.
Some American officers favor de-
velopment OF a composite battle craft,
combining the speed Of battle
cruiser with the guns and protection
OF 8 battleshfp Others, however.
point out that to give ship both the
speed and the guns and armor would
require great Increase In size, prob
ably to nearly the 6o.0O0-ton displace-
ment, the limit once set as the max
imum craft that could pass the Pan
anna canal locks.
RED CROSS DANCE