The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-10
Compares Naval Strength

Admiral Fletcher's estimate of the COM
parative naval strength of the United
States was made in reply to a query by
Representative Witherspoon, who after
prolonged series of questions on the
strength of the navies of other nations,
asked:
What nation Is there that we are not
prepared to successfully resist? No one
on earth, is there?''
IT think there is, said Admiral
Fletcher.
(which one?" demanded Witherspoon.
Il should say that England has navy
so much more powerful than any other
nation that she could easily keep control
of the seas"
.'Well are there any other nations that
we could not successfully resist?"
II do not think we fear any other ma
ton"
Representative Williams of Illinois then
asked the admiral if he thought the United
States could successfully resist Japan il
the feet had to defend Hawaii and the
Philippines in their waters.
THAT Is a question. of course, that Is
exceedingly difficult to answer replied
the admiral II think that our more pow
erful fleet could keep control of the sea'
as against Japan, but as TO the ability OF
the fleet alone to defend the Philippines
would depend a great deal on conditions
Wouiu not say tndl the heee eioiie coui'
do So"
do you believe asked Representa-
tive Gray, that we at the present tint
should increase our navy SO that w
could control the seas?"
81 see no necessity for adopting tha
policy at the present time." replied thu
admiral
why. then, is 1t necessary for us II
have navy to control the seas as agains
Germany or FranceT'.
THAT is very difficult and hypothet
icals question that Is not within my prov
ince as a military man to answer" Ad
miral Fletcher replied.
Must Use Judgment
IF we had conflict with any nation,
the admiral then continued after a mo
ment's reflection, 1--WE would naturall,
provide against conditions which had t,
be met. You make provision for defens
proportionate to the probability of futur
conditions. Otherwise the only solution
Is that we must make navy to whit
the world. Provisions for defense mus
be tempered with some policy of judg
ment. I do not think that anybody eve
considers the conflicting interests be
tween England and the United State
have been at all serious or that there 4
any probability that they will. Our in
terests are too much in common"
Then we don't have to build agains
England. in your opinion?" suggested Mr.
Gray.
THAT is right" was the admiral's an
swer.
what nations. then, do you think, w
do have to build against, and
The question was unfinished, Chair
man Padgett and several other member
objected.
II must be excused for answering tina
question and would like to have |
stricken out" said the admiral
Mr.. Gray withdrew It,
The United States has been behind tn
times in development of air craft an,
submarines, the admiral said. He rec
commended liberal appropriation TO-
mines, aerial craft. ''and auxiliary weap
ons of that character
Representative Roberts asked man,
questions regarding mobilization.
'If you received orders to prepare 70
war, how long would 1t take your aske,
Mr.. Roberts.
I'm emergency replied the admiral
"some vessels would be ready today, 9th
ers tomorrow. and all within a week
We have some in the navy yards under
going repairs but they could rendexvou
! within that time"