The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-12-13
THREE YEAR
NAVY PROGRAM
Sec'y Daniels Approves Con-
struction Recommended by
General Board.
INCLUDES CAPITAL SHIPS
No Specific Recommendations
for Appropriations Made -.
for Next Fiscal Year.

WASHINGTON. Dec. ias-Approval
Of another three-year naval building
program. involving the construction Of
eighty eight vessels. IL the United
states does not enter the League OF
Nations or a similar world organixa-
ton. II given by Secretary Daniels In
in annual report today TO President
Wilson.
III the United states In not TO enter
into any agreement with the other
powers OF the earth. which are now
bound together in the League Of Ma
tlon." says the naval secretary. Il feel
compelled 70 approve the recommenda-
tion OF the general board that con-
gress authorize another three year
program to be begun as soon as the
capital ships now under construction
are launched"
The three year program recommend
ed By the general board 20 be under
way By 1922 includes tbs construction
OF three battieahips. one battle cruiser.
thirty light cruisers, eight Runboats.
eighteen destroyer leaders. twelve
mine-laying submarines. sax cruiser
submarines. four airplane carriers,
three destroyer tenders and three sub.
marine tendarm.
No specific recommendations for an.
preparations for new construction dur
ing the next fiscal year are included
In the secretary's report. but his esti-
mate Of the cost oC maintaining the
naval esta blishment for the coming
year II 7e.s15.T3l. exclusive af arv
ing Thlz r. Ra& add for new buiid
was appropriated for the prrNeSs than
year. but Mr.. Daniels says the sum IS
not really an increase" but is "neces-
aary 20 carry on the construction OF
ships already authorized and the COM
pietion OF shore establishments al
ready begun by direction Of congress
The most pressing usoblcm con-
fronting the nation with regard 10 the
national defense, the naval secretary
continues. Is the immediate necessity
for increasing the naval shore estah-
hshment facilities on the Pacific coast.
Despite sporadic criticism" In this
country and abroad of the completion
of capital ships authorized before the
war. the hattieship remains the back
bone" Of the feet. Secretary Daniels
declares. The war proved that the
time has not come for the abandon
ment of capital ships, he says. and in
support OF n&s declaration ne points
out that recent British building pro.
grams have included funds for dread
naughts and battle cruisers and that
Japan has laid down five capital ships
since the armistico and u Is under
stood that eight others are projected
for the near future"
The navy department now operates
a total Of 80 vessels.
Reviewing the remaining work un-
der the 1915 building program. Mr..
Daniels says construction il going for
ward as rapidly as can be expected
under the conditions encountered. All
OF the destroyers Of that program have
been completed except twelve. which il
was decided not 70 construct because
Of a surplus ~ this type of vessel
The ten scout cruisers are going for
ward rapidly" the secretary states.
and good progress has been made on
the submarines except the nine feet
suhmersibiea. 81 which bat three have
been started Eleven hastieships and
six great battle cruisers also remain
under construction.