New Britain herald., 1922-12-04
Secretary, in Annual Report to Congress, Also Pays High Tribute to Efficiency of Marine Corps.

Washington, Dec, 4.--A general
 naval policy providing for navy
 "second to none" and strong enough to support American policies and commerce and guard American con tinental and overseas possessions Is laid down by Secretary Denby in his annual report to congress.
 Such a navy, the secretary said, should and could be maintained within the provisions of the Naval Limitation Treaty. He added that 1 although the present naval establish , ment was deficient In certain types, such as fast cruisers, aircraft cruis- CTS, seagoing submarines and aircraft, | he would make no immediate recom- 1 mcndation for additional appropria- tions because of the present financial condition of the country. Among the accomplishments of his department during the past year the navy secretary recounted "the devel- opment of aviation as an integral part of the fleet" diversion of greater percentage of repair work to govern ment stations, increased steamtng efficiency of battle craft, return of the officer personnel to a permanent basis after the temporary enlarge ments during the war, an extension of the navy school facilities for en- listed men, and inauguration of ex- tensive and advance experiments in gunnery. He praised the record of the Marine Corps during the year, saying that previous high standards of the corps had been maintained fully.
 The statement of general policy contained in the report was drawn up by the navy general board, and was said by the secretary to be in his opinion not only sound in the present circumstances but useful for all times and under all conditions" The major premise of the policy was this: The Navy's Policy.
 "The navy of the United States should be maintained in sufficient strength to support it's policies and it's commerce, and to guard it's con- tinental and overseas possessions"
 As corollary to his basic prin- ciple, and in view of the Naval Limi- tation Treaty terms, the general board further adopted this statement of purpose:
 ITO create, maintain, and operate a Navy second to none and in con- formity with the ratios for capital ships established by the treaty for limitation of naval armaments. ITO make the capital ship ratios the basis of building effort in all classes of fighting ships.
 ITO direct the principal air effort on that part of the air service that is to operate from ships of the flee.
 ITO assemble the active fleet at least once year for a period of not less than three months.
 ITO maintain an active personnel af1oat in conformity with the ratios for capital ships established by the treaty for the limitation of naval armament.
 ITO maintain the Marine Corps personnel at strength sufficient forf current requirements.
 ITO make every effort, both ashore and afloat, at home and abroad, to assist the development of American and especially the American marine.
 ''To create, organize, and train a Naval Reserve Force sufficient to pro- vide the supplementary personnel necessary to mobilize the fleet and all its auxiiaries.
 ITO make the Naval Reserve secure in it's status and organization as a part of the Navy and to guard its in- terests.
 ITO cultivate close association of officers of the active Navy and of the Naval Reserve.
 ITO give to the public all informa- tion not incompatible with military secrecy.
 ITO have always in mind that a system of outlying naval and com- mercial bases suitably distributed, de- veloped, and defended is one of the most important elements of national | strength
 Approves Conference Work.
 The secretary, commenting on this declaration in connection with his dis cussion of the results of the Arma- ments Conference, said that the Navy | had been entirely in sympathy" with the purposes of the and predicted that the i benefits of eliminating competitive navy construction will be realized more and more fully as the years go ] by
 For the first time in the history of our country" he said, the Navy and Congress have a definite naval policy and building and maintenance stand ard to work to. standard which is proportionate to our position as a world power. The maintenance of this standard in all respects is neces- sary to our defense and to our pres .ige. -.
 Tn the past, owing to the lack of ! definite naval policy. and to the nore pressing need for building up ,ur naval strength in capital ships, it las been impossible to maintain a