Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24
Continued From Third Page.)

| I1dQ pTOVlQeQ IOF cruisers.
The United States. at the time when
the Washington treaty was signed, had
a superiority of submarines and de-
stroyers. Other nations, not content
with superiority of cruisers, began ex-
tensive building of destroyers and SUBJ
marines. England provided for Al,
Japan, 81; France, 101; Italy, SO.
What America Did.
Summed UP, We laid down a total
of 10 vessels, of which were ex-
preSsly provided for by the ''limita-
ton" treaty, and 6 of which were
were not provided for until it was
apparent that the other nations had
embarked on huge naval building
program.
This much has been said by way of
absolute and irrefutable proof that the
United States did not take the lead in
naval race" These facts indicate
also why we cannot depend upon the
15-cruiser program to round out ana
complete Navy that will be fully ade-
| quate under all the circumstances that
might arise during the next five years.
/ Let us see what the situation is with
respect to cruisers, for instance. We
now have no 10,000-ton, 8-inch gun
cruisers, completed and in commission;
| Great Britain has Z. At the Of 1929,
2 that the United States Is building
viii be ready, and Great Britain then
| will have IL.
In 1880 we shall have of the
10,000-ton cruisers; Great Britain, IA.
| Four years from now, In 1888, we shall
have Is and Great Britain 20. Two
years after that, If Great Britain con-
| tinues to build at the rate OF year,
| there will be IS British cruisers COM
pared with our %.
Forty-three Held Needed.
! It is quite evident, therefore, that In
cruiser strength We are not overbuild-
| ing. As matter of fact, our naval
experts-men who know our needs from
| actual experience In the Navy in time
of war-state positively that we need
| 43 cruisers to provide for the needs OF
the battle fleet and the protection Of
our commerce in time of war.
| Naval vessels wear out and become
obsolete. They are huge masses OF
useful life" of a cruiser averages 20
| years; the life of submarine is Is
years All except II of ours will be
| over that age in 1896. Many will be
wholly unit for combatant service.
| Provision for building replacement SUBJ
| marines and cruisers must be made by
| initial appropriations or 5 years In
advance of the date Of need OF the
new vessels. Before the Is new cruisers
| are completed % old. second-line
cruisers will be retired.
One of our aircraft carriers, the
Langley. was experimental In character.
1t viii be discarded.
We lack large, fast submarines to
accompany the battle fleet. For each
| squadron of l8 destroyerS are 3
| such sQuadrons-there should be what
naval men term a destroyer leader" TO
aid In the tactical management OF the
unit
We need more aircraft carriers. The
2 Immense carriers we now possess
are less than half our allotted strength
under the Washington treaty.
These are, in general, our naval
needs. They have been determined to
be our needs not only by the Judgment
of Representatives or Senators, but by
| the general board of the Navy: men who
have given most of their active life to
| the Navy, who have stood on ships OF
war proceeding In the dead Of the night
/ through mine-infested waters with en-
envy submarines nearby and with the
fate of nations depending on their
Judgment.
| Nays Complete Program.
The complete program Of the Navy
Department was transmitted to Con-
gress on December II, 1927, by Secre-
| tary Wilbur. 1t provided for the con-
| struction of Is light cruisers, 8 de-
stroyer leaders, 80 submarines and 5
aircraft carriers. The estimated cost OF
these II ships was $725, 100000. That
cost would be spread over a period OF
nine years. The program had the ap-
| proval of the Secretary OF the Navy,
the Bureau of the Budget and OF the
| President.
This program has not been passed in
| It's entirety by the Congress OF the
United States. Yet 1t Is clear that
Congress is aware Of public sentiment
high seas to safeguard adequately every
legitimate American right.
| Great Britain, at the Geneva imita-
ton conference (Which France and
Italy politely declined to attend, con-
tended that the British need was for
10 cruisers instead Of the 46 the EN-
pire possessed.
Our Secretary Of the Navy, acting on
expert advice, has submitted building
program designed to furnish "eyes for
the fleet"-vessels to scout, to obtain
information, to furnish protection that
cannot otherwise be secured.
There can be no doubt now that
what the United States Navy actually
needs the Navy will receive. Neither
Congress nor the naval affairs COM
mittees of the House Of Representatives
and Senate will surrender their judg-
ment and discretion and yield to a
clamor for "the biggest Navy in the
world, regardless of coSt'--aS has been
urged. But public opinion supports the
building and maintenance OF a Navy
fully commensurate with our duties
and responsibilities.
What Ships Cost Nation.
The 32l ships of our Navy in COM
mission have cost the Nation 1888 ,000,-
600. But they safeguard and protect
the lives and rights of 10000 900 people
with an annual income Of 100000, 000,-
900. Those ships are our sole defense
against attack upon our overseas COM
merce, amounting to S9,000,000,o00 a
year. In addition, they safeguard a
commerce between our own seaports,
East and West, North and South,
amounting to $4,000 100000 additional
J each year. Our total commerce by wa
ter is equal to Great Britain's -S15,-
600. 900 annually.
We have mainland seacoast to
guard from Maine to Alaska 600
miles, The distance by water from New
York to Seattle by way of the Panama
Canal, is 5000 miles. It is the Nays
task to interpose itself between our
coast and any possible enemy force that
: might attack. 1t is, moreover, the duty
of the Navy to be prepared to safeguard
our rights-the rights of our citizens
: and our property-upon the seas when
warning nations seek to impose then
= will upon neutral or friendly countries
Our future duty with respect to the
/, Navy is not confined to the building oil
| ships. The 1-ship-program would re-
uuire the services of an additional 3d.
. 600 men. Our term of enlistment Is
r short--four years. Great Britain en-
4 | H.+~ az 80 ,yxy nareounat for 10 vaarc VIZ