Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-14
NAVY'S WORK FOR NATION
DESCRIBED BY SECRETARY
Adams, in Radio Forum Address, Tells
Of Civic, Commercial and
Humanitarian Activities.
. HE full text of the address of
Secretary Adams last night in
the National Radio Forum, ar
i ranged by The Star and broad

system, folloWS.
1t is always pleasure for me to talk
of the United States Navy, and this
evening. through the courtesy of the
Columbia BroadcaSting Co., 1 am af-
forded the opportunity of bringing be-
fore you some of the problems which
have confronted our Navy during the
past two years, and also to remind you
OF the major purposes of the Navy.
To complete the limitation of naYies
begun here in Washington during the
Disarmament Conference of 1922, the
principal maritime powers again met in
1880 in London. To prevent the dan
gers and burdens of competitive naval
building this country has taken an &C
tive and leading part in both these con-
ferences. Naval advisers assisted our
delegation in furthering the objects of
the conferences while safeguarding the
just interests of the United States.
Efficiency Is Increased.
The Navy has operated during the
past two years at an increasingly high
level of efficiency, yet it is daily striving
TO effect new and better methods and
TO adopt permanent economies. The
forces af1oat have reduced very mate
rally their operating costs, both by re-
organization and by improvements in
operations. Many obsolete vessels have
been stricken from the active list and
sold and many more have been placed
out Of commission, to be held in reserve
in the event of a national emergency.
In the interest of economy, several
naval stations have been placed in an
imperative status and studies are being
made in an effort to eliminate any sta
tions which are not vital in the main
tenance OF the Navy or the uses of our
country. During the last fiscal year a
saving of over SIS, 900, 900 was effected
IN comparison with the expenditures of
the previous year. A further saving is
hoped for during the fiscal year ending
June 80.
With the ratification of the London
naval treaty came the task of outlining
construction program which would
gradually build up the various deficient
classes OF ships to the prescribed limits
OF the London naval treaty. During
the actual treaty negotiations work was
stopped on further cruiser construction.
which has delayed the normal construc-
ton program as outlined in our original
1o-cruser program. During the past
TWO years eight of the new 10,000-ton
cruisers have joined the fleet and seven
are now under construction; two fleet
submarines have been completed and
Two are under construction; one air.
craft carrier Is now under construction
and one dirigible will be completed this
Summer; the five-year aircraft building
program will be completed this month.
Eleven Destroyers Planned.
Plans are now being completed for
IL new destroyers, for which money
was provided by the last Congress.
Building OF the various classes of ships
has been planned so that each class
will be gradually added to, thereby
eliminating wholesale requirements
when these ships become old and obso-
1ete. To increase their effectiveness. as
well as to increase their period of use
full life. alterations have been completed
or started on all but six of our battle
ships. The modernization Of these ships
is carried on in accordance with the
provisions of the Washington treaty.
However, our total construction has not
equalled the depreciation of our ships
during this period.
Serious political disturbances during
the past two years have occurred in
various parts of the world. In some
countries conditions were such that our
naval vessels have been called on to
afford protection to our citizens and
interests in the disturbed areas. Mis-
sions of this type are necessary but
each visit is difficult task. recurring
the protection of American interests
while at the same time striving to main
tain cordial international relations. 1t
is to the everlasting credit of the Navy
and of the Marines that hundreds of
similar missions have been successfully
and skillfully accomplished in past
years.
To aid in this work, to serve on ships
and on shore, as we'll as to conduct ex-
petitions to foreign lands where our
interests require the Marine Corps is
maintained as part of our Navy That
corps has earned a high reputation for
gallantry and efficiency in action and
for skill in every relation. It is now
conducting missions in China, Nicara-
qua and Haiti. Although actual fight
ing fortunately has been limited of late,
we should not forget that this fine body
OF men Is constantly making sacrifices
IN the necessary service of their country.
Defense is Basic Policy.
The fundamental naval policy of the
United States requires that the Navy
OF the United States should be main
tanned in sufficient strength to support
its policies and its commerce, and to
guard its continental and overseas
possessions. Our naval policy is based
on and is designed to support national
policies and national interests, as we'll
as to protect our homes. This policy
aims to provide the number, size, type
and distribution of naval vessels and
stations, the quality and number of per-
sonnet, and the character of peace and
war operations necessary for national
safety and protection. Any Navy be-
yond that necessity would be unfriendly
to the world and wasteful to our
country.
The training of the Navy. therefore.
must have as its main objects utmost
efficiency for war; competence for oper-
ations in any part of either ocean;
sufficient strength for exercising such
control of the sea as is necessary for
the protection of American interests,
and especially our overseas and coast
wise commerce. Other objects are: The
development of the art and material
of naval warfare; cooperation with all
departments of our Government, and
the cultivation of friendly relations
with the rest of the world.
AS the outer bulwark for our armed
forces, upon the Navy rests the first
responsibility of safeguarding our i'm
mense seaborne commerce and OF
checking and destroying, If possible,
any hostile attack upon our shores,
or upon our outlying possessions.
Commerce Necessity.
Closely interviewer with the economic
life and the external relations OF any
country is its foreign commerce Cheap
production of many of the worlds COM
1nodities, and unequal distribution Of
essential raw materials and foodstuffs,
have made the various countries in
reasingly dependent upon one another
and upon overseas trading.
None Of the world powers today en-
Joys economic self-suficiency, and the
prosperity of the world is dependent
upon the integrity OF the sea high.
ways. The preservation of peace and
corporation In international commerce
is, therefore, Of mutual interest to all
nations.
History has many times proved the