New-York tribune., 1920-12-13
50 New Ships
In : Years Is
Daniels Plan
Annual Report Approves
of Building Program if
u. S. Does Not Enter Any
Pact With Other Nations
Favors Two Great Fleets
Puts Cost of Maintaining
the Navy in the Coming
Year at $679,5l5,73I

program, involving the construction Of
eighty eight 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 Leasue of Ma
tions," says the Naval Secretary, Il feel
compelled to approve the recommenda-
ti.. 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 battleshps, one bat
tie cruiser, thirty light cruisers, eight
gunboats, eighteen destroyer leaders.
twelve mine laying submarines, siX
cruiser submarines, four airplanc car
riers, three destroyer tenders and three
submarine tenders
"lf the United States takes its stand
with other countries in an organiza-
ton to prevent war and promote
peace" Mr.. Daniels says, our present
navy, with the addition of some specia!
types, will be adequate for our defense
and the prevention of aggression"
No specific recommendation for ap-
preparations for new construction dur
ing the next fiscal year are included in
the Secretary's report. but his estimate
of the cost Of maintaining the naval
establishment for the coming year is
$679,515,731, exclusive Of any sums
1 l., 4
This is $240,0 900 more than was ap-
propriated for the present fiscal year,
but Mr.. Daniels says the sum SIS not
really an increase" but is necessary
to carry on the construction of ships
already authorized and the completion
Of shore establishments already begun
BY direction of Congress"
Need Bigger Shore Facilities
The most pressing problem confront
ing the nation with regard to the ma
tional defence, the Naval Secretary
continues, is the immediate necessity
for increasing the naval shore estab-
lshmenr facilities on the Pacific Coast.
"The day will never come" Mr.
Daniels says. "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
for the whole American feet il it's
stated periods of tactical exercises on
the west coast"
! Among the new Pacific coast projects
now under consideration for which
Congress has been or will be asked to
provide funds are u deep water dock
ing and repair base, q submarine base
aid cthe.: Developments at San Fran
cisco; an aviation base at Sand Point
King County, Wash; submarine, de-
stroyer and aviation base at Port An
geles, Wash; a submarine base at Los
Angeles; q submarine and destroyer
base at Astoria, Ore, and a very eN-
tensivc development Of >harhor and re
pair facilities at Hawaii. In all, the
report declared, projects that ulti-
mately will reach d cost Of about Sl60,-
900, 900 are urgently needed for the Pa
ctc Coast proper
Characterizing Hawaii as the Gross
roads and key to the Pacitic" Mr.
Daniels recommends the creation there
of a Incorporating base capable Of
accommodating the entire American
navy with all auxiliaries. Facilities for
feet of thousand vessels could be
developed at Hawaii, the report asserts
adding that the strategic location OF
Hawaii is realized, it's possibilities
have been carefully studied and set
forth by naval experts and its develop
mcnt Oh b.oad scale as fleet
operating base cannot be too strongly
recommended"
Battleship Remains Backbone
Despite "sporadic cr:ticism' in thi.
, country and abroad of the completion
OF capital ships authorized before tht
war, the battleshp remains the "back
bonc' of the fleet, Secretary Daniels
RI oc1o Il - 4-,>,
has not come for the abandonment O
, capital ships, he says, and in supper
Of his declaration he points out tha
recent British building programs hav
1 included funds for dreadnoughts ant
. battle-cruisers, and that Japan cha
: layed down five capital ships since tn
= armistice and it is understood tha
$ eight others are pro- ojected for the nca
X future"
: A strong plea that all marine activi
: ties of the governm ment be consolidate
I in. the navy in the interests Of econom
d and efficiency is made by the Nava
Secretary He declares that "Americ
i should have but one navy" and that a
v present there are various little navies
0 under various government dcpartme mt
q whose activities could be far moro ad
l. vantageously directed under a singl
n control.
!, The Navy Department now operate
u a total Of 973 vessels, Mn. Daniel
points out while the War Departman N
maintains feet of $50 craft, exclusiv
of 1,245 other vessels of various type
used in harbor work; the Treasury 10
n ships, the Department Of Commcrc
l17, the Shipping BOARD ], $40 and mis-
cellaneous divisions more than 20
a others.
,r Amalgamation with the navy OF th
y Coast Guard and the lighthouse an
j. lifesaving services is particularly urge
. by Mr.. Daniels, and he also says {"
q would be 10 the advantage Of the arm
q as we'll as the navy if all United State
a, transports were manned by the navy i
time Of peace as well as war"
# Approves Two Great Fleets
II "In other words" says Mr.. Daniel
l. there should be hut one marine dt
IL partment Of the government, and it
e craft ahoat should be operated by tn
= Navy Department. This cannot be cor
:: sidercd radical departure or cxper
g. ment, as its worth and practicabilit
+ were thoroughly demonstrated und.
;, the severe test Of war"
II In reviewing the operations Of til
fleets during the year Mr.. Daniels a.
scrts that mo policy adopted in recer
years has a sounder military basis {
n has been more completely justified tha
that Of maintaining two great feet
= one in each Of The great oceans we al
n llat ,,un,, IN JofnuJ ,r,+l. .su.:..: .