The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-12-13
FAVORS MORE WARSHlP
CONSTRUCTION nv u. S.
Secretary Daniels Urges 3-Year Build
ing Program If United States
Does Not Enter a League of
Nations,


Washington, D. c., Dec l3.-Ap-
prevail of another three year naval
building program, involving the con-
struction of SIS vessels, if the United
States does not enter the league of
nations or similar world organiza-
ton, is given by Secretary Daniels in
his annual report to-day to President
Wilson.
IF the United States is not to
enter into any agreement with the
other powers of the earth, which are
now bound together in the league OF
nations" says the naval secretary, Il
feel compelled to approve the recon-
mendation of the general board that
Congress authorize another three year
program to be begun as soon as the
capital ships now under construction
are launched"
The three year program recon-
mended by the general board to be
under way by 1924 includes the con-
struction of three battleships, one bat
tie cruiser, 80 light cruisers, eight gun
boats, Is destroyer leaders, II sub
laying submarines, six cruiser subj
marines, four airplane carriers, three
destroyer tenders and three submarine
tenders.
"If the United States takes its stand
with other countries as an organlza-
ton to prevent war and promote
peace Mr.. Daniels says, "our present
navy, with the addition of some spe
cial types will be adequate for our de-
Tense and the prevention of asgres-
SION
No specific recommendation for APP
preparations for new construction dur.
ing the next fiscal year are included
in the secretary's report, but his esti-
innate of the cost of maintaining the
naval establishment for the coming
year is $670.5lj,73l exclusive of any
sums Congress may add for new build
ing This is S240 100000 more than
was appropriated for the present fiscal
year. but Mr. Daniels says The sum
lis not really an increase" but is
necessary to carry on the construc.
tion of ships already authorized and
the completion of shore establishments
already begun by direction of Con-
gress."
The most pressing problem confront
ing the nation with regard to the ma
tional defense, the naval secretary con-
tinues, IS the immediate necessity for
increasing the naval shore establish
ment facilities on the Pacific coast.
"The day will never come Mr.. Dan
iels saws, "when a powerful fleet will
not be based in the Pacific and it is
essential that ample provision be made
not only for the Pacific feet, but the
whole American fleet in its stated
periods of tactical exercises on the
west coast"
Among the new Pacific coast projects
now under construction for which Con-
gress has been or will be asked to pro
vide funds are deepwater docking
and repair base, a submarine base and
other developments at San Francisco;
an aviation base at Sand Point, King
county, Washington; submarine, de-
stroyer and aviation base at Port An
geles, Washington; a submarine base
Los Angeles; a submarine and de
stroyer base at Astoria, Oregon, and
a very extensive development of har-
Dor and repair facilities at Hawaii. In
all, the report declared, projects that
ultimately viii reach a cost of about
SlG0.00000 are urgently needed for
the Pacific coast proper
Characterizing Hawaii IS the cross
roads and key to the Pacific" Mr.. Dan
iels recommends the creation there of a
a.. r.,.,,.o ;,,s, hasa "a ,,o I,1a &c o.aar,a
dating the entire American navy with
all auxiliaries. Facilities for a fleet of
thousand vessels could be developed
at Hawaii, the report asserts, adding
that the strategic location of Hawaii
is realized, its possibilities have been
carefully studied and set forth by naval
experts and it, development on a broad
scale as a feet operating base cannot
be too strongly recommended.
Despite sporadic criticism in this
country and abroad Of the completion
If capital ships authorized before the
war. the battleship remains the back
bone OF the feet, Secretary Daniels
declares The war proved that the
time has not come for the abandon
ment Of capital ships, he says. and in
support OF his declaration he points
ont that recent British building pro
grams have included funds for dread
naughts and battle cruisers and that
japan has laid down five capital
ships since the armistice and It is
understood that eight Others are pro
iected for the near future.
\ strong plea that all marine sctivi-
ties Of the government be consolidated
in the navy in the interests Of economy
and efficiency Is made BY the naval sec
rotary. lie declares that America
should have but one navy and that at
present there are various little nayies
under various government departments
whose activitias could b. far more al
,.rtannntslN direcfnl under a single