New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-10
WILSON SPOKESMAN
ADMITS NAVY NEEDS
Representative SherleyBe-
fore Southern Society
Shows Weak Spots.

lore SOutf1eTn SOClcly
Shows Weak Spots.
Representative Swagar Sherley, Of
Kentucky, chairman of the Committee
on Fortifcations, discussed national de-
fence in speaking at the twenty-ninth
annual dinner of the New York South
ern Society at the Waldorf last night
Mr.. Sherley attempted TO make out
clean slate for present defence condl-
tons, particularly in the navy, but
from admissions and figures and sta
tistics he presented during his as
course, il was evident that even ne
realized the present state Of unprepar-
edness to a noticeable degree.
He said that one point he desired 70
make clear was that the navy was not
inefficient, nor weak, and that state
ments to the contrary were unfounded.
Then he proceeded to point out some
of the deficiencies in naval equipment.
He frankly admitted that the situation
in the army needed remedying lie
considered that an increase OF Z5,OOO
men to the standing army would not
be too many.
Mr.. Sheriey started out by saying
that there was no mystery about pres
ent conditions of defence, and that it
was an easy matter for any one to get
all the facts who desired to get them.
The coast Notifications were sufficient
TO serve their purpose, he said.
"The purpose of coast defences,' he
said. "are not to prevent the landing
of an enemy anywhere upon our
shores, but to prevent the use of prin-
cipal harbors as naval bases by the
enemy's fleet. We have every gun
mounted that has ever been asked for
at every place TO be fortified, with the
exception of the lower Chesapeake,
where the land has recently been ac-
oured, and the defences Of Los An
geles, where work is in progress, and
certain minor batteries at San Diego.
ave have completed the sea coast
batteries of the Hawaiian Islands. We
have almost entirely completed the
Philippine Island defences. We are
very rapidly completing the Panama
defences."
Turning to the continental defences
of the United States he said there were
still some auxiliaries to supply, but
that they were in splendid condition at
the present time.
"The ammunition desired is not all
supplied" he said, "but on the basis
of the need for all the guns we nave
over 70 per cent. The maximum
thought desirable is a supply sufficient
for two hours continuous firing of half
the guns in the United States, the
theory being that we will not be threat
ened all along both coast lines at any
one time. 1t is possible we may ap-
proach in the rear future a condition
where it will be thought justifable to
either place some additional guns at
some of the Notifications of the IA or
l6 inch calibre, and some of the most
modern 12-inch mortars.
at is possible that it may be thought
desirable by some change in the car
riage of the guns, to increase their
maximum elevation, so as TO very great
/ ly increase the range, but | do not be-
/ lieve there is any responsible officer
/ to-day who would advocate any radi-
/ ial change in the Notifications at
| either New York or at any of the other
/ principal points in the United States"
Referring to the army, Mr.. Sherley
/ said that we had personal equipment
/ for more than 100000 men. The cav
airy equipment was mostly on old
models, but seyiceable, he said. Con-
ditions relative to the field artillery
were by no means as satisfactory, as
indicated by that of other departments
1--WE have on hand or appropriated
for 215 batteries" he said, cor more
than two-thirds Of the number of guns
required for an army Of 100000. It is
true that the late chief OF staff, in his
annual report, estimated the number
of guns as needed TO be 1884, or about
/ 700 batteries, but the uniform testi-
mony of other officers of the army
heretofore on this subject has been as
! have indicated.
"The ammunition for these guns
which are Of various calibre, is. as
regret to say, not all supplied in any
thing like the quantity that is desired
/ | am safe in saying that we could
within year make 1000 200 rounds OF
ammunition. This would supply the
amount estimated as being necessary
for the guns when they take the field
but it would not give any additional
reserve 20 that which would be with
or practically Immediately available to
the guns"
The other speakers were Thomas W
Gregory, Attorney General of the
United States; George W. Wickersham
former Attorney General. and John
SHELTON Williams, Controller of the
/ Currency. Mr.. Williams advocated the
total Northumberland Of the negro
as a solution of the negro problem. His
remarks on this subject were received
without applause. Mr.. Wickershan
made a vigorous reply to the suggestion
Of such a policy, saying that the prob
lem never could be solved by taking
away the right Of voice in the gov
eminent Of 100000 American citi
Zens His remarks were loudly an
plauded. W. W. Fuller, president Of
the society, presided. A toast was
drunk, standing, TO Miss Mary Lee, tn,
only surviving child Of General Rober
Z. Lee, who occupied box.