UNITED STATES POWER IN Our Existing Navy Ships in Full Commission Ships Not in Full Commission Battleships I*l <' Commission in Reserve) , Battleships 10 M(l3 Dreadnaughts; 1 predreadnaught) Armored Cruisers 7 ~ Cruisers, first class 4 Armored Cruisers o , Cruiser, second class 1 Cruisers, second class - j Cruisers, third class i .. 6| .Destroyers 11 1 Cruisers, tlrird class S . Torpedo Boats 1 Destroyers SS j Monitors 2 I Gunboats .Monitors 4 Special Types 2 J ... , „„ Unserviceable for war purposes, I .Submarines -■ serV ing as receiving ships , Transports 3 and station ship 31 Gunboats 1S i Commission in Ordinary) , Cruiser, third class 11 Supply Ships 4 J Destroyers 2 I FuW Shl <" 20 ja| Converted T.ch.. *lTjrgJ. *>•,-■• • 11 Tugs *' J (Operating with reduced corn- Tenders to torpedo vessels 5 ; 11|111J || is I Mine Training Ship 1 ' ... , (Out of Commission♦) Surveying Ship 'l Battleships s Ammunition Ship 1 Cruiser, first class 1 . I Cruiser, second class * Repair Ship I |Cruisers. third class .. - Mine Depot ships 2 j £ r s £°^ r Boat v 7; !!!! i;!::! i!!! 4 Hospital Ship * Submarines - Unserviceable for war purposes. Transport • * but acting as station ships, j Fuel Ship •••• J . . • Tenders to Torpedo \ essels •: training ships and receiving 'converted Yachts 9 sfcips 7 | Unserviceable for war purposes. . 9 Total in full commission "224 i Total npt in full commission... 127 MEN NEEDED TO PUT EXISTING SHIPS IN COMMISSION The Secretary of the Navy states that to put Sll S 'V 049 "resrutars mission, 'the navy would be short and 2 3,330 reserves after using 9,000 militia and 463 fleet reserves The short age will increase for each new ship commission tn 1917 and 191S and th three-year program alone will require 29,12 i. PERSONNEL OF THE NAVY (Bureau of Navigation Excepting Starred Figures) Required on Authorized Present CompleUon of Strength Strength 3-year Program Officers 1 3,200 (*EsUmated) 2,111 I 4,487 Enlisted Men j 81.322 65,445 j 99,809 Enlisted Men Reserves. 46,870 Estimated present shortage—Officers 1,099; Men 25,877 •4 per cent, of Authorized Enlisted Strength. MARINE CORPS i PRESENT STRENGTH— Officers li 3 s Enlisted Men AUTHORIZED INCREASE— Officers os? Enlisted NAVY AERONAUTICS The appropriation for Navy aeronautics available under the acts of August 29 is, $3,500,000. Personnel Officers authorized 150 Present number of officers... 53 Enlisted men authorized 350 Present number enlisted men 163 Machines (In service) Seaplanes 37 Seaplanes awaiting decision as Kite balloons 2 to disposition 8 Ordered Seaplanes on order or awaiting Kite baloon awaiting survey . 1 acceptance 40 Dirigible undergoing trials .. 1 Kite balloon on order 1 PLAN OF THE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM—I9I7, 1918, 1919 (Authorized by 4>ct of Congress of August 29, 1916) Appro- Uecom- Remaining j mended to Authorized j priated for bg appro _ to be pro- Type in 3- year j in naval | priated for vided for program. bill for j In naval in naval 1917 j bl " for bill, 1919 1918 Battleships 10 I 4 3 3 Battle cruisers fi 4 *- 1 1 Scout cruisers 10 4 3 3 Destroyers 50 20 15 15 Fleet submarines 9 ' 4 5 Coast submarines ....[ 58 30 14 14 Fuel ships ' 3 1 2 Repair .ships ! 1 I Transports I 1 1 1 . Hospital ships j 1 1 Destroyers' tenders .. 2 1 f 1 Submarine tenders ... 1 j 1 Ammunition ships ... 2 1 1 Gunboats 2 ! 1 1 I— 1 1 Total 156 66 I 42 48 1 | •DELAY ON SEVEN SHIPS The Secretary of the Navy on January S wrote to the Chairman of the House Na\al Committee stating that four private companies made proposals for the construction of four battle cruisers and two scout cruisers at cost plus h percentage to cover indirect costs, plus another percentage for profit, amounting in all to about 35 per cent. The Navy Department considered all bids high and, as the cost would exceed the limit authorized, did not accept the proposals. For one scout cruiser no proposal was received. The time required by the bidders on these seven ships did not in the opinion of the Department conform to the Congressional requirement for speedy construction. In two cases constructon was offered within 48 monhs; in one case within 51 months and in the other case no time was named. The naval construction program therefore faces a setback of the gravest nature. The enlargement of government navy yards is suggested by the Secretary of the Navy as the best way to solve the difficulty. On August 29, 1916 the sum of $6,000,000 was authorized for the im provement of government navy yards so that increased efficiency and capacity might be attained in the upbuilding of the navy. Ships already assigned to government yards fully engage all the facilities of these yards. To meet the new conditions the Secretary of the Navy recommended on January 8, 1917, to the House Naval Committee that $12,000,000 be appropriated to be im mediately available for further increasing the yards. NITRATE PLANT , Preliminary to the establishment of a government Nitrate Plant for the manufacture of Nltrrtes, essential for ammuniion a committee was ap pointed to investigate the various nitrate manufacturnig processes. Ths com mittee has not yet reported. ARMOR PLATE PLANT An appropriation of ti1,000.000 included in the Navy Bill of August 29, 11)16, provided for the establishment of a plant to manufacture armor plate for the Navy. Coinciding with a military principle laid down by the Army War College the General Board of the Navy has advised that the plant shall not bo located east of the Appalachian Mountains, west of the Cascade or Sierra Nevada Mountains, nor within two hundred miles of the Canadian or Mexican frontiers. A boari of throe officers, Rear Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, HAKRISBURG tfSffo- TELEGRAPH ENTERS WAR AS FOURTH NAVAL SHIPS AND FIFTH NAVAL POWER IN MEN THESE GUNS ARE SUPERIOR TO ANYTHING IN GERMAN NAVY These mighty 14-Inch rifles of the battleship Pennsylvania, flagship of Admiral Mayo, of the Atlantic fleet, are superior to anything in the German navy. No single battleship of the kaiser could cope with this vessel. In fact, only the five great warships of the type of the Queen Elizabeth, finished since the beginning of the war by Great Britain, are the equal of the Pennsylvania. Commander Frank H. Clark and Civil Engineer Rueben E. Backenliaus is now canvassing the many site- proposed within the approved zone. NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD Tlie Naval Consulting Board of 24 civilians, headed by Thomas A. Edison and whose members were selected because of eminence in science was, organ ized for the purpose of obtainng from men of industrial achievement expert advice in the many problems entailed in the upbuilding of the Navy. The Board held its first meeting on October 5, 1915. The Secretary of the Navy states that of the many problems presented to this Board "some have been solved and others are in process of investigation." The Committee of Production, Organization. Manufacture and Standard ization, of the Naval Consulting Board, popularly known as the Committee on Industrial Preparedness, has completed a confidential industrial inventory of the manufacturing resources of the country. Twenty-seven- thousand re ports covering the leading manufacturing concerns in this country have been secured by this committee. They are completely indexed for the use of. the Army and Navy and have been turned over to the Council of National Defense. The Board has passed t pon the value of many inventions offered to the Navy Department. Congress It. the Navy bill approved August 29, 1916, ap propriated $1,500,000 for the establshment of a laboratory for the Naval Consulting Board. On September 19, 1916, the Board was requested to in vestigate and report upon a site and plans. A Committee of the Board has since made extensive study and investigations which were made the basis of a recommendation as to the best site for the construction of this Inbratory. AUTHORIZED STRENGTH ON JULY 1, 1920 Under the five-year incrcn*t plan the strength of the Regular Army of July 1, 1920 should be: Peace Strength Officers 11,450 Unlisted Men 175,000 - Non-combatant troops, including unassigned recruits 42,750 Philippine Scouts 5,733 Approximate Total in 1920 . .223,589 Maximum War Strength Officers.... 12,030 EnlistedMen, including Philippine Scouts 298,000 Total 310,030 AGGREGATE STRENGTH OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES • Totals June 30 1916 82,927 82,927 | July 31, 1916: On border duty 110,957 In State Mobilization camps 40,139 151,096 Aug. 31, 1916: On border duty 111,954 In State mobilization camps 26,643 138,597 Sept. 30, 1916: On border dut. 108,018 In State mobilization camps 35,684 143,702 Oct. 31, 1916: On border duty 102,527 At home stations for muster out 19,711 122,238 Aggregate strength of National Guerd organizations not called into the service of the United States . 20,021 The "Unorganized Militia' so-called, is the entire eligible male popula tion of the country, being all those male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45, and not disqualified, physically or otherwise, from performing military service in time of war. PRESENT STATUS OF ORDNANCE Procurement of Gauges, Dies and Jigs necessary for the manufacture <H Arms and Muntions of War. (Appropriation $200,00.) The War Depart ment says:— | In addition to placing orders for small-arms ammunition through private manufacturers, which necessarily results in these establishments being equip i ped with gauges, dies and jigs for the manufacture of said small-arms am : munition, steps are being taken to manufacture master gauges, inspection gauges, and working gauges sufficient to equip five small-arms ammunition plants. The procurement of gauges, etc., for the manufacture of .30 caliber I rifles has not yet reached the point where orders for these have been given. [Specifications governing the manufacture of rifles by private manufactures ; have, however, been prepared and final action along these lines is awaiting ! detailed information from the most important plants in this country. Small-arms ammunition on hand or provided for up to June 30, 1916 327,000,000 rounds, on hand, or provided for up to June 30, 1917 387,000,000 rounds. U. S. rifles, caliber .30, model of 1903, on hand or pro vided for up to June 30, 1916—725,000; on hand or provided for up to June 30,1917—836,000. Field Artillery Ammunition The Department states that the manufacture of ammunition for both mobile and seacoast artillery has been inaugurated on a scale that will furnish ! the prescribed allowances of ammunition within the time allotted for the completion of the program. The increases in the capacity of the various j Government Arsenals manufacturing ammunition which were authorized by I the last Congress are well under way, so that their capacity will be greatly i increased in the near future. In addition, large orders have been placed for | the various components of ammunition with many of the private mamufac iturers in the county equipped for this work. I Batteries of 3-inch and 4.7-inch guns and 6-inch howitzers have been ordered, either to be manufactured at the arsenals or to be procured under contract, and awards for additional material heavier than 6-inch will be made in a few days. The Department hopes that in addition to the American designs representatives in this country of foreign companies may be able to submit designs of material now used in the European war. ARMY AERONAUTICS (Total appropriation $13,281,666.) Personnel Officers authorized 77 Enlisted Men authorized, 1,800 Present number of officers, including those detailed and retired officers on active duty 96- Present number of enlisted men 600 Machines Machines In Service: Ordered: 67 machines 206 I,and machines ' 4 Hydroaeroplanes , 80 Hydroaeroplanes 2 Flying boats . ] 6 Flying boats 73 Total 302 Total In addition, 5 captive balloons for field artillery fire control have been ordered. OXK ZEPPKMX OBE CONSTRUCTED—A large dirigible of the Zep pelin type is to be constructed by a joint board of Arms and Navy officers. They are not ready to say what it will uost or to give its dimensions. HARRISBURG AS HOSPITAL BASE COULD DO MUCH City Has Means to Care For 3,000 Wounded Soldiers and Sailors LOCATION IN ITS FAVOR Churches Plan to Do Their Share of Patriotic and Humane Work Harrisburg as a hospital base could take care of 3,000 wounded soldiers and sailors in the event of a clash between the armed forces of the United States and Germany, it was said to-day. The opinion has been expressed that on account of the location, rail road facilities, and commodious build ings, this city would make an ideal base for a military hospital. No enemy shells could he dropped into Harris burg from the Atlantic; the city is only a short distance from Phila delphia and Baltimore; hospitals, churches and several public buildings could accommodate at least 3,000 wounded, and the river front .?ould be used for convalescent purposes. A survey of the situation made to day by the Telegraph showed that ample provision could be made here to take the proper care of the wound ed soldiers and sailors. City officials, ministers, doctors and members of the Red Cross Society and other or ganizations declared that llarrisburg would throw open its doors wide and go the limit in looking after the wounded. Churches to Do Share That the local churches could be counted upon to do their share In caring for wounded men was made plain by the expressions of many of the ministers of the city. Bishop James H. Darlington, of the Episcopal church, in discussing the matter - aid: "That is bright idea. It would be an excellent thing for the people of Harrisburg to put their hands to such work. This is an ideal location for a base hospital and Harrisburg churches would be loyal and liberal in their support of the work." The Rev. Dr. John D. Fox, pastor of Grace Methodist church, said that the people would be found in the forefront in carrying on this humani tarian work. "I am sure the churches of Harris burg would give as much space as they possibly could in such an emer gency," declared the Rev. Joseph Daugherty, pastor of the Sixth Street United Brethren church. Police Chief J. Edward Wetzel said that Harrisburg could easily take care of 8,000 wounded and that this cits has many arguments it could advance for the establishment of a base hos pital. Best Site Possible E. Z. Gross, president of the local Red Cross chapter, thought that be cause of its accessibility Harrisburg was the best inland point for a base hospital. "We can erect temporary build ings on the grounds of Polyclinic nos pital to accommodate 1,000 patients," said Dr. Samuel Z. Shope, "and we would welcome the opportunity to be of service in this work, in the event of war. Polyclinic is Ideally situated for just such an emergency. It has the very finest outlook in the world. It is away from the noise and smoke, and convalescents would greatly enjoy the breezes from the river." Besides the Harrisburg and Poly clinic hospitals these buildings could be utilized for the caring of the wounded: Chestnut street hall, the Armory, Board of Trade building, Harrisburg club. Engineers' club. Cameron hall. Russ hall and Whites hall. The State Capitol would all probability be offered to the Federal government for hospital purposes in easei more room was needed and at least 1,000 men could be cared for there. Authorized Ships |i j " i I P rcentage* Name and | Year | of Com- Probable Date of Official Number i Authorlzcdl pletion Commission I I 1 BATTLESHIPS , I (Drcadnaughts) I New Mexico (40) 1 1914 i 52.0 June 1, 191S Mississippi (.41) 1914 [ 59.6 April 1, 1918 Idaho (42) i 1914 | 65.5 May 1, 1918 Tennessee (43) | 1915 |' 1.4 January 9, 1919 California (44) 1915 | 6.1 January' 9, 1919. Maryland (46) | 1916 | March *5, 1920 West Virginia (48) ...| 1916 September 5, 1920 Colorado (45) | 1916 May 5, 1920 Washington (47) 1916 November 5, 1920 RATTLE CRUISERS Number (1) 1916 Number (2) 1916 Number (3) 1916 Number (4) 1916 11.!!!!!!!.!!!!!! SCOUT CRUISERS Number (4) 1916 i June 26, 1919 Number (5) 1916 Number (6) 1916 Number (7) 1916 DESTROYERS Allen (66) i 1914 , 91.4 January 30, 1917 Shaw (68) I 1914 | 89.0 January 1, 1917 Caldwell (69) 1915 27.8 December 1, 1917 Craven (70) 1915 | 9.1 September 1, 1918 Gwin (71) 1915 10.7 I November , 1917 Conner (72) 1915 16.1 | August 20, 1917 Stockton (73 1915 16.1 j September 5, 1917 Manley (74) 1915 35.4 I August 30, 1917 Number (75) 1916 September 30, 1918 Number (76) 1916 October 30, 1918 Number (77) 1916 November 30, 1918 Number (78) 1916 December 30, 1918 Number (79) 1916 December 26, 1918 Number (80) 1916 June 26, 1919 Number (81) 1916 June 26, 1919 Number (82) 1916 j June 26, 1919 Number (83) 1916 | June 26, 1919 Number (84) 1916 | June 26, 1919 Number (85) 1916 j June 26, 1919 Number (86) 1916 | June 26, 1919 Number (87) 1916 | ........ October 30, 1918 Number (88) 1916 j November 30, 1918 Number (89) 1916 j December 30, 1918 Number (90) 1916 j January 30, 1918 Number (91) . 1916 i February 28, 1919 Number (92) 1916 | February 28, 1918 Number (93) 1916 | Number (94) ........ 1916 | I COAST SUBMARINES ! (000 tons) L-5 (44) 1912 85.2 February 1, 1917 L-6 (45) 1912 85.3 April 1, 1917 L-7 (46) 1912 I 85.0 May 1, 1917 , M-l (47) 1912 | 99.4 April 1, 1917 1.-8 (48) 1913 | *l.B | April 1, 1917 Schley (52) 1914 29.3 September 15, 1918 N-l (53) 1914 ! 73.8 May 19, 1917 N-2 (54) 1914 68.9 June 19, 1917 N-3 (55) 1914 I 76.9 July 19, 1917 N-4 (56) 1914 ! 73.8 August 1, 1917 N-5 (57) 1914 | 72.4 September 1, 1917 N-6 (58) 1914 | 72.1 October 1, 1917 N-7 (59) 1914 ! 5.3 November 1. 1917 Number (60) 800 tons. 1915 | 5.3 October 2, 1918 Number (61) 800 tons. 1915 I 0.0 October 2, 1918 O-l (62) 1915 | 0.0 0-2 (63) 1915 I 23.8 > O-S (64) 1915 | 23.8 January 3, 1918 0-4 (65) 1915 j 23.7 January 18, 1918 0-5 (66) 1915 23.7 January 18, 1918 0-6 (67) 1915 23.7 February 12, 1918 0-7 (68) 1915 23.3 February 12, 1918 0-8 (69) 1915 23.3 March 1, 1918 0-9 (70) 1915 23.3 March 1, 1918 O-IO (71) 1915 38.1 March 24, 1918 O-ll (72) 1915 36.9 October 28, 1917 0-12 (73) 1915 35.6 November 28, 1917 0-13 (74) 1915 25.8 December 28, 1917 O-l4 (75) . . 1915 25.0 | March 1, 1918 O-l5 (76) 1915 24.0 April 1, 1918 0-16 (77) 1915 0.0 May 1, 1918 Number (7S) 1916 December 8, 1918 Number (79) 1916 December 23, 1918 Number (80) 1916 January 8, 1919 Number (81) 1916 January 23, 1919 Number (82) 1916 February 8, 1919 Number (83) 1916 February 22, 1919 Number (84) 1916 March 8, 1919 Number (85) 1916 March 23, 1919 Number (86) 1916 April 8, 1919 Number (87) 1916 | April 23, 1919 Number (88) 1916 ] May 8, 1919 Number (89) 1916 May 23, 1919 Number (90) 1916 June 8. 1919 Number (91) 1916 June 23, 1919 Number (92) 1916 July 8, 1919 Number (93) 1916 July 23, 1919 Number (94) 1916 August 8, 1919 Number (95) 1916 August 23, 1919 Number (96) 1916 September 8, 1919 Number (97) 1916 September 23, 1919 Number (98) 1916 November 30, 1918 Number (99) 1916 December 22, 1918 Number (100) 1916 I January 14, 1919 Number (101) 1916 | February 7, 1919 Number (102) 1916 I February 28, 1919 Number (103) 1916 I March 22, 1919 Number (104) *1916 | April 30, 1919 Number (105) 800 tons' 1916 | May 8, 1919 Number (106) 800 tons 1916 ! April 30, 1919 Number (107) 800 tons 1 1916 ! Number (109-145) (A) 1916 FUEL SHIPS I Cuvama (15) 1915 84.3 April 1, 1917 Number (16) 1916 j 0.0 No Estimate TRANSPORTS I I I Henderson (1) 1 1913 | 86.7 I April 1, 1917 Number (2) 1 1916 j I 1 SUPPLY SHIPS Bridge (1) 1913 ■ 87.3 June 1, 191T HOSPITAL SHIP ! I 1 1 Number (1) 1 1916 i June 12, 1919 GUN BOAT Number (21) j 1916 j 0.0 No Estimate AMMUNITION SHIP Number (1) ! 1916 I I No Estimate j I I The Regular Army The following statement shows the authorized strength of the Army and, the actual strength and the number of vacancies on December 31, 1916. Complete returns for December have not been received, but the figures given are based on the best data obtainable. Authorized Actual Arm or .Corps i Strength Strength Va.jancies L—| ——- Engineers I 2,198 I 2,089 j Cavalry I 17,357 17,556 . 199 Meld Artillery I 7,881 ; 7,090 791 Infantry I 51,224 j 39,288 I 11,936 Coast Artillery | 21,423 18,748 | 2,675 Total line 100,083 84,771 15.312 I Ret. parties and unassigned recruits 11.539 1 8,866 i 2,673 Quartermaster Corps I 8,000 6.863 2,137 Ordnance ' 1,241 741 500 Signal Corps ; 3,369 1,757 1,612 Medical Dept 6,614 6,203 | 411 Miscellaneous organs, (service school detachments, prison guards, In dian Scouts, etc.) 2,320 1,758 i 562 Total 133,166 ! 109,959 ( 23,207
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