New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-06
Secretary Not to Reply to
Tribune Disclosures Un-
til Later in Series.
CONDITIONS SHOWN
PUZZLE LEGISLATORS
Congress Not To Be Blamed,
Say Members, for Best Sub
marines Were Supplied.
fFrom Tho tribune Bureau.

From Tho Tribune Bureau
Washington, Dec. 5.-Secretary Dan
iels to-day declined TO make any state
ment in answer to the article in The
Tribune relative to the present inef-
iiciency of the submarine division OF
the United States Navy. The Secretary
was plainly concerned over the flood
of criticism now pouring in from every
direction against his department. He
was nervous and apparently disposed
to spar for time.
To the reporters who called upon him
at the late afternoon conference he ex-
planned that according TO his under
standing the article in this mornings
issue Of The Tribune was the precssrsor'
OF series of articles regarding the de-
ficiencies of the navy and Of his par
ticular administration Of Uncle Sans
sea fighting force.
"For this reason" said Mr. Daniels,
az feel that it would be better if | de-
layed answering this criticism until at
least few more of the articles have
appeared. ] think that would be the
fairer and the wiser way in which TO
meet such criticism. Furthermore, my
annual report is already in the hands
of the newspapers for release within
week. On Wednesday or Thursday of
next week ! will appear before the
House Committee on Naval Affairs, and
I do not think that | should make any
nublic utterance on this subject before
that hearing"
Earlier in the day Secretary Daniels
had promised an immediate answer to
the criticism of the submarine division.
Following this promise, however, he
held an extended conference with Ad-
miral Watts, chief of the Bureau of
Construction and Repair, and the
change of mind seemingly followed
this interchange of views with his ex-
pert adviser.
Rear Admirals To Be Heard.
In announcing the programme for the
series of hearings before the House
Naval Affairs Committee next week
Secretary Daniels said that he would
be preceded in the hearings by Rear
Admirals Fletcher and Badger, who
would give their views as to the gem
cral condition of the feet ard the
needs of the general naval organiza-
tion. Rear Admiral Fletcher has been
summoned tc Washington and vii! ar
rive here on Monday. He will precede
Rear Admiral Badger on the stand.
The rribune's disclosures that moss
Of the submarines now in ise in The
navy are practically out of commits
sion created surprise and interest
among members of the House Naval
Affairs Committee to-day, and it -
practically certain that Secretary Dan
iels will be closely quizzed on this
point when he appears before the
House committee.
Members Of the House committee
BrO1cSSed Ignorance VI e"S NN""'s'N''
of the submarines now in commission,
but insisted that they should be IN
first class shape, as only the most ap-
proved types have been given from
time TO time TO the navy.
eft is hard for me TO believe the
statement that the submarines nave
been allowed TO run down IN conditon
until they are practically useless now,
said Representative Hensley, Demo-
cratic member of the committee VINO (
has consistently advocated larger ap-
nronriations for submarines and 4
smaller appropriations for battleships;;
81 know that Congress has supplied
the navy with the best types OF SUB
marines and they should be in excel
icnt condition. So far as my observa-
tion goes they are in good shape, but
| am not as familiar with these mat
ters. naturally, as the Navy Depart.
ment should be. II is the business OF 1
the department TO keep the submarines I
i'm good shape after we furnish them.
Best Submarines Furnished.
Representative Tribble. another Dem /
ocratic member of the committee, said: l
ave have supplied the department !
with the best submarines obtainable, 4
and | trust that the discouraging re-
ports are unfoundcd. There is no rea-
SON Why our submarine fleet should
n MI n