p. 10 | Increase of American Naval Armament

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Sep 26, 1912

Increase of American Naval Armament

Of the increase in the way of naval armament which has been made by this country during the last few years, the Nation of Aug. 22, 1912, says: —

Few people know how rapidly the navy is being increased in other directions besides battle-ships. Into the Naval Appropriations Bill of this year there has been slipped a provision for 4,000 additional seamen, which will bring the total enlisted force up to 42,000 men. The last large increase was in 1908, and was obtained from Congress largely through the excitement attending the around-the-world cruise of the battle-ships. That increase was 6,000. Prior to the war with Spain the strength of the navy was not 10,000 men. To-day we are withdrawing more than four times that number from productive employments, in addition to the 75,000 taken by the army. This is a more serious drawing off of able-bodied men from industrial life than most people realize.