The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-23
has less submarines, and Japan, with
S feet smaller than ours in strength
only half as many submarines.

"
future. When We shall have divi-
sion OF sea-going submarines in COM
mission we will have added to the
battieship feet a strong fighting unit
which must be Of larger Importance
in any oversee operations.
"As far as the submarines them
selves are concerned, it is believed
that ours are on q par with any in
the world. In the appropriation made
by the last congress two types for the
first time were included-one Of high
surface speed, to accompany the fleet,
and one for coast and harbor de-
fence. In the building Of two such
distinct types We are in accord with
what foreign countries are doing. and
submarine fotiilas In the future will
probsbly be composed Of vessels Of
these two types"
OF aviation the secretary says:
Aircraft have demonstrated in the
present war in Europe that no mill
tary arm is complete which lacks
them. They will not replace vessels
Of war, but will extend the field of
operations to the air So we'll as on
the surface Of and underneath the
water. They provide the best means
for discovering submarine mines and
have become an indispensable naval
adiuct.
eve are but in the infancy Of air
craft. The development il the man
ufacture Of these craft in this country
needs to be stimulated, and the sue
cess Of this arm Of the military SER
vice abroad will be a mighty stimu-
liant to American manufacturers.
"Orders were given early in the
year for some foreign-built aero
planes, In addition to large orders for
aeroplanes made in this country. Tn
fortunately, the war has made it i'm
possible for the orders to be placed
abroad to be filed, and the trial OF
such craft must be postponed. The
best types of American manufacture
have been ordered and the depart
mnet will develop this modern branch
Of the naval serEice steadily and rap
Idly"
The general board does not take
the same view. It's report refers tc
its recommendations In 1913, which
brought to the attention Of the de-
partment the dangerous situation OF
the country in the lack Of air craft
and air men in both the naval and
military services. At the present time
the total number of air craft Of any
kind owned by the navy consists OF
twelve aeroplanes, not more than two
Of which are Of the same type, and
all reported to have too little speed
and carrying capacity for service
work.
ssIn our present condition Of un-
preparedness, IN contract with any
foe possessing proper air service
our scouting would be blind. We
would be without the means Of de-
tecting the presence Of submarines OF
mine fields, or Of attempting direct
attack on the enemy from the air
while our own movements would be
an open book to him. The general
board can not too strongly urge that
the departments most serious thought
be given to this matter, and that con-
gress be asked for an appropriation
Of at least s5,0o0,oo0 for the pur-
pose Of establishing an efficient air
service"
Financial conditions resulting from
the European war have caused the
department to refrain from asking
this year for an increase in person
mel, Secretary Daniels states, but says
a plan will be presented to congress
next session far the organization OF
a competent naval reserve force from
the men who receive honorable dis
charges from the navy.
The general board lays great
stress on the question Of personnel
"The beard" the report says, "can
not too strongly urge the repeated
recommendations to provide the feet
with personnel active list and train
ed reserve, equal to the manning OF
the feet for war. In the opinion OF
the general board, this is a matter OF
even more serious import than that
Of construction, for 1t can not be toe
often repeated that ships without q
trained personnel to man and fight
them are useless for the purposes OF
war. The general board recommends
legislation for an active personnel
officers and enlisted forces, capable
Of keeping in full commission all bat
tleships under Is years of age from
date Of authorization, all destroyers
and submarines under II years OF
age from authorization, half Of the
cruisers and all gunboats and all the
necessary auxiliaries that go with the
active feet, and Of furnishing nucleus
crews for all ships In the navy that
would be used in time Of war and the
necessary men for the training and
other shore stations"
Secretary Daniels again urges that
the grades Of admiral and vice ad-
miral be restored, and giving consid-
cradle space to the occupation OF
Vera Cruz by the United States naval
forces, pays tribute to the nineteen
men who lost their lives there. The
entire record Of Vera Cruz, the Sec
retary states, is "a remarkable dem
onstration Of the all-around efficiency
Of the navy"
The report discusses at length
many other subjects with which the
department has been engaged includ-
ing the manufacture of powder, in
vestigation Of the cost Of armor.
plate manufacture, construction de-
tails Of new ships, the anti-wine mess
order promulgated this year, the edu-
cation work for enlisted men, for
which the secretary expresses great
enthusiasm and reports pleasing re-
suits, and the work Of the relief
ships North Carolina and Tennessee.
still in European waters watching
over American interests.
LIST OF FRENCH DEAD.
French Government Believes Losses