UNITED STATER NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1722, 12 April 1913, Page 7

UNITED STATER NAVY.

—frTHE DEMOCRATS' PROGRAMME. By Telegraph—Press A««oelation—Copyright New York, April 10. The Assistant Secretary to the Navy, Mr. Franklin Roosevelt, announced at a navy meeting that the Government wa3 determined to provide a large and efficient navy for the United States, but that details had not yet been settled. THE TAFT PROGRAMME. . Mr. Mever, who was Secretary for the Navy in "Mr. Taft's Cabinet, in his annual report published last December, after quoting Washington's warning against the reputation of weakness and tho loss in prestigo it entails, predicted that in a few years, unless moro than the present naval increase of two battleships a year is maintained,' tho United States will liavo sunk from second to fourth on tho list of nations. Tho report continued:— "A total of 41 battleships, with a proportional number of olhor fighting and auxiliary vessels, is, in the ■ opinion of tho Secretary, the least that wilt place this country on a safe basis in its relations with other world Powers. This number should bo reached as soon as practicable, and then the fleet should bo kept up to its standard strength by r-cplacinK obsolote vossels with new ones by a uniform yearly replacement programme. Tho mobilisation of tho fleet demonstrated the need of battle-cruisers, and of smaller vessels, such as scouts, destroyers, gunboats, submarine, colliers, and ammunition ships.Tho Department distinctly reoognises the valuo of torpedo craft and submarines. It would bo glad to havo moro of them, but' it is of tlio opinion that until moro of the old battleships aro replaced it is wiser to provide for battleships than to f-acrifice battleship strengtli for, vossels. of less military value. While only tlireo battleships are included in tho estimates for this year, tho Department feels that the deficiencies of tho fleet in other types of sliips should be remedied in accordance with tho recommendations of tho General The recommendations of tho Board for an annual, increase in tho naval forces of tho United States wero then given as follow:—"Four battleships, two battlecruisers, two transports, 10 , destroyers, ono submarine tender, ono supply shin, two gunboats, two sea-going tugs, ono dry dock, and one submarine testing dock.'

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