Omaha daily bee., 1920-12-14
Daniels Recommendations
Based on Joining of League
Annual Report of Secretary Of Navy Approves An
other Three-Year Building Program Involving
Construction of SO Vessels If U. S. Doesn't
Enter World Organization

Washington. Dec. 13.-Approval
of another three year naval build
ing program. involving the con-
struction of 50 vessels, if the United
States does not enter the league of
nations or a similar world organiza-
ton, is given by Secretary Daniels
in his annual report today to Presi-
dent 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 ap-
prove the recommendation of the
general board that congress au-
thorize another +three-year program
to be begun as soon as the capital
ships now under construction are
launched"
The thKee year program recon-
inended by the general board to be
Under way by 1924 includes the con-
struction of three battleships, one
battle cruiser, so light cruisers,
eight gunboats, IS destroyer lead
ers, II mine laying submarines, 6
cruiser submarines, 4 airplane car
riers, 3 destroyer tenders and 3
submarine tenders.
Big Enough For League.
"If the United States takes its
stand with other countries in an or
ganization, to prevent war and pro-
mote peace" Mr.. Daniels says, "our
present navy. with the addition of
some special types. will be adequate
for our defense and the prevention
of aggression"
No specific recommendations for
appropriations for new construc-
tion during the next fiscal year are
included in the secretary's report
but his estimate of the cost of main
tanning the naval establishment for
the coming year is $679,5l5,75l ex-
elusive of any sums congress may
add for new building. This is
$240,O00,000 more than was ap-
year, but Mr.. Daniels says the sum
''is not really an increase" but is
necessary to carry on the con-
struction of ships already authorized
and the completion of shore estab-
lishments already begun by direc-
tion of congress-"
The most pressing problem con-
fronting the. nation with regard to
the national defense, the naval sec
retary continues, is the immediate
necessity for increasing the naval
shore establishment facilities on the
Pacific coast.
Must Protect Coast.
"The day will never come" Mr..
Daniels says, when powerful fleet
will not be based in the Pacific, and
it is essential 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
crossroads and key to the Pacific"
Mr.. Daniels recommends the crea-
tion there of a fleet-operating base
capable of accommodating the entire
navy with all auxiliaries.
Facilities for a feet OF thousand
vessels could be developed at Ha-
waii, the report asserts, adding that
"the strategic location of Hawaii is
realized, its possibilities have been
carefully studied and set forth by
f.aval experts ahd its development on
a broad scale as Incorporating
base canfbt be too strongly recon-
mended."
Despite sporadic criticism, in this
country and abroad of the compile
ton of capital ships authorized be-
fore the war, the battleship remains
the backbone" Of the fleet, Secre-
taty Daniels declares. The war
proved that the time has not come
for the abandonment of capital ships,
he says, and in support of his declara-
ton he points out that recent British
building programs have included
f'inds for dreadnaughts and battle
cruisers and that Japan "has laid
down FIVE capital ships since the
armistice, and it is understood that
eight others (. are projected for. the
Coordinate All Activities.
A strong plea that all marine ac-
tivities ofsthe government be con
solidated in the navy in the interests