New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-26
Department Whose Theory Is That the Navy Exists
the Purpose of the Fighting Fleet Tells of Plans for Strength
ening the Ocean Arm of America, and Gives His
Ideas Aeroplanes and Submarines.

geles may not know il, but they are ex
empt from naval attack, as are the peo-
pie of any other undefended port, town
or city on either coast. For instance, If
a japanese cruiser in time Of actual war,
were to steam up to the very edge of
Los Angeles not a shell could be fired
at that city, and if coal and provisions
were taken they would have to be paid
for in money. Under the laws of war
adopted by all civilized nations even
water city defended by sunken mines
cannot be bombarded, pillaged or COM
PEELED to pay tribute TO the enemy. New
York or Boston would be safe, but the
navy yard in Brooklyn or Charleston
would be destroyed if it were not held
and used temporarily. .,.
Misconceptions pertaining TO modern
warfare are many Jeopardies that are
impossible in this country are discussed
seriously. The plain military fact that
the safety of the United States from foes
beyond the oceans-yellow foes or white
ones-rests absolutely on it's fleet Of bat
teships is hardly known to anybody or
is muddled by talk about coast fortifica-
tions-many of which are said to be use
less-and mpracticable invasions.
The navy" Secretary Meyer says,
exists for the purpose of the fighting
fleet" His policy is to keep the fleet to-
gether. Auxiliary to the feet are
cruisers. torpedo boats, submarines. tugs
and Golfers. But the navy is the feet,
q nd ha6 dafa
the country against Japan Germany or
any other power that hurts American
pride or encrcaches upon its rights as a
nation. And the fleet will fight as a
whole. every available ship being pres
ent. and one great battle may decide the
issue. If the American fleet is whipped
the American people will have TO make
terms with the enemy. France lost
Alsace-Lorraine 10 Germany in 1871 and
paid an indemnity Of one thousand mill
ion dollars.
The navy yards are now modern ship
building and ship-repairing plants.
Money is being saved on supplies. YES
sells at sea are competing with one an
other In speed. coal consumption and
ether economies, as we'll as in target
practice Even the bookkeeping has
been changed throughout the depart
ment-a trial balance can now be OBJ
tanned which. until recently, was never
attempted in the navy. The first year he
was in office Mr.. Meyer cut the estimate
for maintaining the naval establishment
$4,000. 900 This year he made further
cut of SJOgOOO0 In the mean time he
has put his naval policy into the brief
but sufficient phrase that the navy eX-
lists for the purpose of the fighting fleet
In July of this year" Mr. Meyer said,
i'm answer 10 an inquiry, the fighting
hfehet of the navy will be twenty-one
battleships and four armored cruisers.
There will BE- four divisions of five ships
each The extra ship will carry the flag
Of the commander in chief. We plan To
have four SHIPS in each division ready At
all times for active service. The fifth ship
in every division will be in some navy
ward for repairs. So we shall have
seventeen fighting ships at the call of the
country for any duty that may be re-
duired Our purpose is to keep the fleet
together and not to send vessels singly
or In pairs over the earth on visits To
foreign nations The reason for main
tanning the fleet intact is apparent"
But all the vessels" | said, ARE in
the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific is UNI
protected, although war might come
from that quarter.