The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-12-13
DANIELS APPROVES new
s. 3-YEAR BUILDING PLAN
If q. s. Stays Out of League.
Stresses Coast Defense.
Base at Hawaii.

Washington, Dec. l3.--ApprovaI Of
another three-year naval building pro.
gram: involving the construction o.
eighty eight vessels. II the United
States does not enter the league of ma
itions or a similar world organization
rs given by Secretary Daniels in his
sannuHl report yesterday to President
Wilson
/ 'Tf the United States is not to enter
dnto an agreement with the other pow
prs OF the earth, which are now bound
together in the league of nations" says
The naval secretary, II feel compelled
general board that congress authorize
another three-year program to be be-
gun as soon as the capital ships now
under construction are launched"
The three-year program recon-
Saended by the general board to be I'M
der way by 1924 includes the construc-
fion OF three batteships, one battle
cruiser. thirty light cruisers, eight gum
boats. eighteen destroyer leaders,
twelve minelaying submarines. six
cruiser submarines, four airplane
carriers, three destroyer tenders and
three submarine tenders.
! IF the United States takes its stand
with four other countries in an organi-
kation to prevent war and promote
peace" MIR. Daniels says, our pres
ent navy, with the additions of some
Special types, will be adequate for our
defense and the preventions of ,aggres-
Sion"
! No special recommendations for ap-
propriations for new construction dur
ing the next fiscal year are included in
the secretary's report, but his estimate
pr the cost of maintaining the naval
establishment for the coming year Is
Ss7s.515,7Sl exclusive of any sums con-
kress may add for new building. This
u $240, 100000 more than was appro-
priated for the present fiscal year. but
Mr.. Daniels says the sum lis not really
On increase" but is necessary to
carry out the construction of ships al
ready authorized and the completion OF
shore establishments already begun by
direction of congress"
Must Protect Coast.
! The most pressing problem confront
ing the nation with regard to the ma
tinues. Is the immediate necessity for
increasing the naval shore establish
fiaent facilities on the Pacific coast.
, '"rhe day will never come" Mr..
Daniels says. when a powerful fleet
Mil not be based in the Pacific and it
made not only for the Pacific fleet, but
for the whole American fleet in its
stated periods of tactical exercise on
the west coast
! Among the new Pacific coast projects
how under consideration for which
congress has been or win be asked to
provide funds are deepwater docking
repair base, a submarine base and
other development at San Francisco;
an aviation base at Sand Point. King
county, Washington; a submarine. des-
stroyer and aviation base at Port An
seles. washington; submarine base at
Los Angeles; a submarine and de-
stroyer base at Astoria, Oregon, and a
very extensive development of harbor
and repair facilities at Hawaii. In all.
the report declared. projects that ulti-
mately will reach a cost of about $780,
100000 are urgently needed for the
Pacific coast proper. /
itr Hawaii Key to Pacific
Characterizing Hawaii as the CROSS
roads and key to the Pacific" Mr.. DAN
iels recommends the creation OF ac-
commodating the entire American navy
with all auxiliaries. Facilities for a
fleet of 1000 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 its development on
q shrcad scale as a fleet operating base
tGnnot be TOO strongly recommended"
despite sporadic criticism" in this
ec1ntrv and abroad of the completion
ee rfrital ships authorized before the