Evening star., 1924-12-10
CONTINUOUS BUILDING PROGRAM
is NAVY'S NEED, WILBUR AYERS
Declares United States Has Not Taken Care to Pro.
eide for Treaty Ratio-Emp phasizes Necessity
for Scout Cruisers.

Of naval armament treaty, such as
scout cruisers (whose size was linn
tied by the treaty., submarines, de-
stroyer leaders, ETC., the only method
of maintaining the treaty ratio is by
competitive building program,
which would require us to lay down
and construct ship for ship, subma-
rine for submarine, a fleet equal to
that of Great Britain and superior to
that Of Japan by to 8. This we
have not done.
ITO place our fleet on a parity with
Great Britain, 1t will be essential for
us to match ship for ship the new
construction of Great Britain, because
although our surplus Of destroyers
and submarines would be valuable in
time of war and of the utmost impor-
tance in a fleet engagement near our
coast, they could not take the place
OF the type of ships referred to. 1t
should be observed that this does not
mean that the destroyers and sub
marines built during and Immediately
after the World War are not valuable.
THE time has now come when a
continuous peace-time building pro-
gram must be provided for, or the
appropriation required to replace the
ships becoming obsolete will be SO
great as to be out Of tho question.
Otherwise, we will have a Navy def
cient In essential elements and CORE
spondingly unable to perform the
function for which 1t was designed
For instance, we must contemplate
replacing 257,500 tons OF destroyers
that become Is years of age in a
space OF three years; that is, from
1898 to 1885.
Usefulness Is Lesscned.
a-fe
is not only expensive, but tends to
provoke suspicion abroad, while or
derly and systematic development of
the Navy is recognized as a legiti-
mate function of government. The
building program advocated by the
General Board takes into considera-
ton these various factors and recog-
nfZes that for a time our existing
submarines and destroyers will be a
valuable asset against the new con-
struction of other powers, but unless
the submarines and destroyers are
protected against an overwhelming
superiority in scout cruisers, their
usefulness will be comparatively
small.
THE treaty did not provide for
scrapping scout cruisers, and conse-
quently Great Britain retained her
superiority in modern ships of this
class constructed since 1912"
Going into a discussion OF naval
bases, the Secretary points out that
the mission of the Navy in war is to
defeat an enemy as near to its own
home as possible. Therefore, he SAYS
bases near to the home of the most
probable enemy are necessary to pro-
vide for overhauling, docking and re-
fueling
Explains Naval Ratio.
The naval ratio of the various pow
ers Is variable and depends upon the
place where the value OF the feet
is determined, he adds. illustrating by
saying that the naval ratio of the
American and British fleets at points
upon our Atlantic coast would be
slightly in favor of the United States
since the British naval bases in. the
Western Atlantic are not so fully
equipped as our own. Similarly, he
says, referring to Japan, the ratio
OF our fleet to the Japanese fleet on
our Pacific Coast would be over
whelming, while the ratio of our feet
TO the Japanese feet on the japanese
coast would be considerably inferior.
He explains the tonnage system on
which the treaty navy was based
pointed out that the navy is a going
concern, which constantly suggests
improvements ana presents new prob
lens from the experience with and
management of ships and guns. He
touches on the matter of aircraft de-
velopment, and says 1t has received
careful attention.
You suggest in your communica-
tion," he says to Representative
French, that we recognize that we
are not upon the treaty ratio with
reference to aircraft. This is be-
cause our aircraft carriers are not
completed. 1t is true we have not yet
acquired the airplanes we deem
necessary as adjuncts to the feet
but Congress has made ample ap-
propriations in the past, and we be-
lieve Will make increasing appropria-
tions in the future, to develop fully
this branch of the service as rapidly
as is consistent with the orderly de,
velopment of new types of craft
needed"
He concludes as follows:
The reply to your questions SC
far have reference to the situation
within the continental limits Of the
United States. 1t has been suggested
by you that the United States is self
sustaining and even though she be
deprived of all sea power our popu-
lation would have sufficient food
clothing and necessities of life to
maintain themselves"