The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-11

AAAC 441ONC1 414Hd u1Oll kJIOCCSS. 1OI
battleships consists in altering the
vessels to cope with the modern
aerial and long range gun menace,
it might be described to the layman
as a process of building a ship
around a ship"
Protected Every Way
The ship is protected from above
by reinforcing it horizontally. It is
shielded from torpedoes or from
the long range gun whose missile
curves downward as it strikes, by
building sort Of protective "skin"
about the ship.
AS for the coming navy building
program, Secretary Wilbur stated
the department proposes to present
to the budget the secret plan de-
veloped before Geneva. This will
be virtually unchanged. It's de-
tails cannot be revealed before the
budget has passed on them.
Before the Geneva conference
was called, we had a building pro-
gram made by the general board
and approved by the secretary" he
said. eft is our plan to present
that to the budget without
modification, except for changes in
construction by other powers.
Seek More Cruisers
at is distinctly adapted to our
own needs, though these are some
what dependent upon the under
takings of other navies."
The general understanding in i'll
formed quarters here has been that
the navy would seek ten more 10000
ton cruisers in view. of the failure
of the Geneva conference to reach
limitation agreement. The United
States now has two 10,000-ton
cruisers and six other 10,000-ton
cruisers built, building or authorized
in addition to ten 7,500-ton cruisers.
With the suggested new 10000
ton craft, the United States modern
cruiser strength would be about
100000 tons, compared to Britain's
modern cruiser strength of $4,000
tons. Americas excess of destroyer
would tend to offset Britain's cruiser
tonnage superiority.
But it is not wholly the subject
of tons an ddollars that engrosses
Wilbur. The human side of this
big fighting machine appeals to him.
Great Education Asset
"I believe" he said, that we have
in the Navy a great educational as
set. I do not believe that the coun-
try generally has appreciated that,
nor do believe that Navy officers
themselves always have understood
fully the significance of this side of
the Navy.
with four-year enlistment and
with roughly 100000 men in the
Navy and Marine Corps, we are
turning out about one-fourth that
number every year. Many of these
re-enIist, but that is optional.
During that four years the Navy
has to train those men so they can
operate the enormous, expensive and
delicate machinery involved in the
fleet, without injuring the ship OF
themselves. They obtain training in
obedience, loyalty and efficiency, as
well as training in technical and
scientific matters.
"It is an education where theory
and practice go hand in hand.
Makes Better Citizens
whether we ever have a war or
need these men in actual battle,
the fact remains that we have put
into their minds, muscles and souls
certain fundamental things which
will make of then better citizens.
Upon the officers devolves a sense
of responsibility for developing these
young men for citizenship. And if
the officed visualizes this, he has
an increased impetus to give the
young man something worth while.
1.-THE Navy has been improving
for thirty years and it never was
better, nor SO good, as today"