New Britain herald., 1920-03-06
But if Treaty is Accepted, K This Extra Burden of
 Taxation Would Be Un-
 necessary, He Observes.
RECOMMENDS PLANS
 TO HOUSE COMMITTEE

sWashin gton, March 6.--Secretary Daniels told the house naval com imittee today he would recommend a naval building program for the next fiscal year larger than that proposed by the general board ''if the peace treaty is not ratified at this session of congress" Withholding final rec ommendation. however, the secretary added that if this country in the end rejected membership in the league of nations he would feel impelled to re- new his recommendation for another fthree year program of construction.
 neiterating his statement of last Year that we must have a league of VLtions by which every nation will help preserve the peace of the world competitice, naval building we must have incomparably the biggest navy in the world" MT. Daniels de- clared there was no middle ground.'
 Blamcs the Senate. q had hoped to appear before this committee today" the secretary con- tinued, with final recommenda- 4tiSn as to a building program but as the senate has not yet acted upon the peace treaty there are uncertain ties in the situation. If the covenant shad been ratified our duty would
 
 spperat1on. composed at first of all stIhe nations allied or associated in sthe World war and with provision for adm ttance of all other nations Op- Aposed to conquest and militarism, 1t Would not be necessary to impose on sfhe taxpayers of America the assess 9lents necessary for building more capital ships"
 Program Recommended. The program which the secretary Recommended be authorized in event sthe treaty is not ratified, agreed with the general boards proposal, as to Capital shfps-two battleships and Sne battle cruiser--but added to that proposal 20 light cruisers and 14 Ho- tilla leaders, or super-destroyers. No light cruisers and only six super ,Iestroyers were recommended by the board.
 It had been his intention if. the peace treaty were ratified with the possibility of armaments being cur tailed and regulated" the secretary declared to recommend definitely only such a moderate" building program necessary ito round out the fleet" No capital ships would have been included in this program, he added, but in the unsettled condition of the world today he declared, the American navy must be pre- pared for any emergency
 "The question for you to decide" the secretary told the committee, lis whether the United States in fu- ture building shall undertake simply to round out it's navy by building units of types in which we are now sshort or shall embark on further ex~ Sansion in addition.'
 Light Cruisers Needed.
 s The secretary emphasized the fleets deficiency in light cruisers and other secondary craft as demonstrated by war lessons. The present battleship Hrength, he pointed out. would soon be increased by the ten dreadnaughts snow building more powerful than any battleships anoat.' In addition sto the six battle cruisers under con- -ary craft.
 Destroyers and other anti-sub- emarine craft construction during the Awar MT. Daniels said, had taxed facilities and prevented balanced ad- \ ditions 10 the fleet while Great Bri- stssin had been able to carry out a well balancd program. He pointed 1out that the British navy had in & (Continued on Seventh Page) q =