Evening star., 1939-01-10

further defenSeS against submarines,
especially harbor defenses, from the
future appropriations that will from
time to time be appropriated by the
Congress in conformity with the
authorization of the 10-year naval
expansion program in the last
Congress.
May Step Up Peace.
In the light of these facts we may
be warranted in increasing the
pace-and I emphasize that word
"pace"-of the naval construction
program authorized by Congress last
year, but We are not increasing the
size of the program because the pro-
gram of last year covered a period
of 10 years of expansion. In the
naval expansion program of last
year, which I repeat was a naval
10-year program apparently ade-
quate as of that time and date,
Congress directed the convening of
a Board of Naval Officers to investi-
gate and report upon the need, for
purposes of national defense, of the
establishment of additional sub
marine, destroyer, mine and naval
air bases on the coasts of the United
States, its territories and possessions.
This repC t has been received by
Congress within the last week and
lays particular emphasis upon the
need for new and enlarged air and
submarine bases.
Bases indispensable.
The importance of favorable con-
gressional action upon this report
providing for enlarged air and sub
marine bases cannot be overem-
phasized. It is obvious that it would
be the sheerest folly to build a
great Navy and project great air
force without the indispensable ad-
iunct of the necessary bases and
landing fields. This is one of the
| many phases of our national defense
which has been sadly neglected dur
ing the years since the World War,
while we were seeking naval dis
armament by treaty
The Presidents annual message on
the state of the Union bespoke in
, general terms the need of great
strengthening in our national de-
fenses. The Federal budget of
recommended appropriations for
the coming fiscal year, which was
submitted to Congress last Thursday
reflects this policy and contains siz-
able increased amounts for naval
construction and for the Army and
Navy Air Corps, as compared with
the appropriation for the current
year.
In connection with this recommen-
dation of the President, in so far as
| it relates to the national defenses. it
would seem to indicate that the
President proposes to continue the
increased appropriations that would
be expected under the naval ex-
pansion building program of last
year and possibly accelerate some
what both the building of naval
vessels and naval aircraft.
The Congress and the country will
have to consider also the specific
recommendations contained in a
special message from the President
on national defense which is eX-
pected to come to Congress within a
few days, embracing a further and
special s5OO.OOO.OOO program for
national defense facilities, of which
100000 is contemplated for the
coming fiscal year.
Discussion Must Await Message.
ANY comment or discussion of the
Presidents specific recommendations
must necessarily await the receipt
of his message. The proposals should
be received and analyzed apart from
political partisanship. What specific
recommendations will relate to the
Navy I cannot, of course, prophesy.
The recommendations that may re-
late to the Army can better be dis
cussed by those more familiar than
l with the details of Army defense.
I believe that the Congress at the
present session will see the need for
the immediate enlargement of our
air force in order to provide aircraft
in sufficient numbers, modernity and
effectiveness to serve as co-ordinat-
ing adjuncts to the fleet and coastal
defenses in repelling invasion. Be-
cause of the speed with which mod
ern planes become obsolete, it is
important to have in mind in this
connection the futility of building
too many aircraft which might be
outmoded almost as soon as they are
put into service.
We must not lose our perspective
in the present popular excitement