The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-09
Annual Report Of Sec
retary Of Navy Rec
on1rnends That the
American n a V a /
Force Be Maintai11-
ed a t Maximum
Strength

should and could be maintained
within the provisions OF the NaHa
Limitation Treaty He added thai
although the present naval estab-
ishment was deficient in certain
types. he would make no imme-
diate Recommendation for addition
al appropriations because of the
present financial condition Of the
scoantr5
Among the accomplishments OF
his department during the past
year the navy secretary recounted
the development OF aviation as an
integral part of the heet. !. diversion
of a greater percentage Of repair
work to government stations. In
creased steaming efficiency of bat
tie craft. return of the officer per-
sonnel to a permanent basis after
the temporary enlargement during
the war, an extension Of the navy
school facilities for enlisted men,
and inauguration of extensive and
advance experiments in gunnery
He: praised the record of the ma
rfne 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 secrearysto be in
his opinion not only sound in the
present circumstances but useful
for all times and under all con-
ditions. The major premise of
the policy was this: \ s &;
.The navy Of the United States
should be maintained IN sufficient
strength to support IT'S policies and
It's commerce. and to guard its
continental and overseas posses
sionss 81
As corrolary to his basic prin-
cipIe. and in view Of the Naval
Limitation Treaty terms. the gem
era1 board further adopted this
statement Of purpose:
TO create. maintain, and operS
ate navy second to none and in
conformity with the ratios for cap
itaI ships establish gby the treaty
for limitation of naval armaments.
TO make the capital ship ratios
the basis Of building effort in all
classes Of fighting ships.
To direct the principal air eff
fort on that part of the air service
that is TO operate from. m.ships of the
Heet.
To assemble the active feet at
least once year for a. period of
not less than three months
To maintain an actfyg person
neI afioat in conformity with the
ratios for capital ships established
By the treaty for the limitation of
naval armament.
TO maintain the marine corps
personnel at strength sufficient
for current requirements.
To make every effort, both
ashore and afleat, at home and
abroad, to assist the development
OF American interests. and especial
by the American merchant marine.
To create. organize, and train
naval reserve force sufficient to
provide the supplementary person
mel necessary to mobilize the feet
and all its auMliaries.
To make the navay reserve Sc
cure in its status and organization
as part of the navy and TO guard
its interests.
To cultivate a close association
OF officers Of the active navy and of
the naval reserve.
To give to the public all infor-
nation not Incompatible with
military secrecy.
TO have always in mind that a
system of outlying naval and com
mereial bases suitably distributed.
developed. and defended is one of
the most important elements Of ma
tienal strength
The secretary. commenting on
this declaration in connection with
his discussion Of the results of the
Armaments Conferences, said that
the navy department has been "en-
tirely in sympathy with the pur-
poses of the conference, and pre-
dicted that the benefits Of eliminat-
ing 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 mainten-
ance standard to work to, a stand
ard which is proportionate to our
position as a world power. The
maintenance Of this standard in
all respects is necessary to our de-
fense and to our prestige ..
In the past. owing to the lack
OF definite naval policy. and to
the more pressing need for build
ing up our naval strength in4 cap
ital ships, it has been impossible tc
maintain a well-rounded navy.
feel it my duty TO report to you
that in certain types such as fast