The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-13
STILL MORE SHIPS,
IS DANIELS ADVICE
Urges Another Huge Building
Programme in L. s. Fails
to Enter a League.
FAvORS CAPITAL CRAFT
War Proved They Are Yet the
Backbone Of the Fleet
lie Declares.

WAsHINGToN, Dec. 12.--Approval OF
another three year naval building pro
gramrne involving the construction Of
eighty-eight vessels. If the United States
does not enter the League Of Nations
or similar world organization. is given
by Secretary Daniels in his annual re-
port to-day to President Wilson.
IF the United States is not to enter
into any agreement with the other Pow
ers Of the earth, which are now bound
| together In the Lea que of Nations"
says the Naval Secretary, IT feel COM
PEELED TO approve the recommendation
Of the General Board that Congress
authorize another three year programme
to De begun as soon as the capital ships
now under construction are launched"
The three year programme recon-
mended by the General Board to be
under way by 1924 includes the con
etruction of three battleships one bat
tie cruiser thirty light cruisers, eight
sunboats. eighteen destroyer leaders
twelve mine laying submarines, six
cruiser submarines. four airplane car
riers. three destroyer tenders and three
submarine tend ers.
No specific recommendations for APP
preparations for new construction dur
ng the next fiscal year are included in
the Secretary's report, but his estimate
OF the cost OF maintaining the naval es-
Establishment for the coming year Is $679-
515,731, exclusive of any sums Congress
may add for new building. This is s240-
100000 more than was appropriated for
the present fiscal year. but Mr.. Daniels
says the sum is not really an in
but Is necessary to carry on the con-
struc'ion Of ships already authorized
and the completion of shore establish
ments already begun by direction of
Congress"
Need TO Strengthen Pacific Coast.
The most pressing problem confront
ing the nation with regard to the ma
tional defence, the Naval Secretary con
tinues. is the immediate necessity for
Increasing the naval shore esta blish-
ment facilities on the Pacific coast.
THE day will never come" Mr.. Dan
iels says, when a powerful fleet will
not be based in the Pacific and 1t is es-
sential that ample provision be made
not only for the Pacific fleet. but for the
whole American feet in its stated periods
Of tactical exercises on the west coast"
Characterizing Hawaii as the cross
roads and key to the Pacific" Mr.. Dan
ieis recommends the creation there OF a
dating the entire American Navy with
all auxiiaries.
Despite sporadic criticism" in this
country and abroad of the CONDITION OF
capital ships authorized before the ar
the battleship remains the backbone" Of
the feet, Secretary Daniels declares. The
war proved that the time has not come
for the abandonment OF apt Al ships he
says, and he points TO British building
programmes and to the fact that Japan
has layed down five capital chips since
the arlnistice. and It is understood that
eight others are projected Tor DE near
future
Enthusiastic over Two Fleets.
The Navy Department now operates a
total Of 979 vessels. MIR. 'i1nicls points
out, while the War Department ma m
tains q feet OF 730 craft. exclusive cf
1926 other vessels OF various types used
IN harbor work the Urea sury ships, the