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Show Increase to Balance Our Fleet and Make and - Keep It the Equal of Any By EDWIN DENBY, Secretary U. S. Km. ' " - In my opinion the general policy drawn up by the navy general board is not only sound in the present circumstances, but useful for all times 'and under all conditions. The general board adopted this statement of purpose: "To create, maintain, and operate a navy second ! to none and in conformity with the ratios for capital J ships established by the treaty for limitation of naval ! armaments. "To make the capital ship ratios the basis of i buildina effort in all classes of fi w - 0 o "To direct the principal air effort on that part of the air service that is to operate from ships of the fleet. "To assemble the active fleet at least once a year for a period of not le6s than three months. "To maintain an active personnel afloat in conformity with the ratios for capital ships established by the treaty for the limitation of naval armament. "To maintain the marine corps personnel at a strength sufSnieni for current requirements. "To make every effort, both ashore and afloat, at home and abroad, to assist the development of American interests, and especially the American Amer-ican merchant marine. "To create, organize, and train a naval reserve force sufficient to provide the supplementary personnel necessary to mobilize the fleet and all its auxiliaries "To make the naval reserve secure in its status and organization as a part of the navy and to guard its interests. "To cultivate a close association of officers of the active navy and of the natal reserve. "To give to the public all information not incompatible with military secrecy. "To have always in. mind that a system of outlying naval and commercial com-mercial basts suitably distributed, developed, and defended is one of the xnof important elements of national strength." It is not my intention this year, having in mind the financial condition con-dition of the country, to make any recommendations for an increase in the navy, but I recommend that as soon as conditions warrant, congress con-gress be asked for such an increase as. will tend to balance our fleet and make and keep it the equal of any. |