Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-16
HOLLAND VIEWS
ON SUBMARINES
SUBSTANTATED
Commander Strings Testi-
mony at Naval Inquiry Re-eoho
of Newarker's CLAIMS.

The ADMISSION lnAue peAOio az
House naval committee yesterday By
Commander Yates Sterling, jr., com
rnander of the submarine fi0ttlla and
4 student of recognized standing or
naval strategy, that the United States
navy was weak in that department
and his criticism of navy authorities
for their neglect of the service, are III
striking unison with the statements
made last Saturday by John b. Hot
land. ir. of SO Newton street, son OF
the late submarine boat inventor, in
the Evening Star
Mr.. Holland at that time charac-
terized the submarines of the United
States navy "a lot of old tubs and not
worth their weight in junk. The
local man also declared that in time
IF war the American people need not
place their dependence upon these
submarines as a means of protection.
Commander Stirling made the star
ling assertion that of the eighteen
submarines in the Atlantic feet, only
Jour were available for use In the ma
noeuvers last autumn, due to some
defect or other.
Commander Stirling also declared
that the personnel of the service was
sighted by the navy authorities, that
the department had only since the
German exploits with the submarines
taken this type OF vessel with a de-
gree Of seriousness AN dthat little at
tention had been given to provide ten
ders and equipment to relieve the SER
vice Of much of it's arduous work.
Mr. Holland, in his review of the
submarine situation, stated that the
conditions in the United States navy
are no better now than they were
seven years ago, when his late father
pointed out to naval officers, at the
direction fthe secretary of the navy,
The facts regarding submarine boats.
No attention was paid to this warn
sng, declared Mr.. Holland, and the re-
suit Is seen in the navy today.
I'VE have had submarines go into
commission said Commander Stir
ing, with commanders that had no
experience whatever. Usually we
haNe had experienced men to go out
with the new commander two or three
times and they very quickly picked
up skill in the ordinary handling of
the boat. I have advocated the prac-
ice of sending men who have &C
luired expert ability in using sub
marines back to them after they have
had service elsewhere"
Canal Defense Inadequate.
Representative Farr, of Pennsylva-
illa- asked Commander Stirling If he
eegarded our defense of the Panama
anal sufficient. and discussed at
angtil the possibilities of strategy If
overseas enemy should attempt
take or destroy the canal. It was
ointed that the defense of the canal
expended on the navy, and that such
efense would to a certain extent sub
raet from the full power of the feet
or meeting the enemy at sea.
Il was stated that Colonel Goe-
na,B. the builder of the canal, had
old the committee when he was last
Washington that If the navy could
OF protect the canal the army could
.ot hold out more than six months
sfter our ships failed in the effort to
ontrol the seas and make 1t possible
o get supplies to the isthmus.
Commander Stirling said we were
rot well prepared to defend the
Panama canal as matters stood. He
expressed the opinion that, in addi-
ion TO the navy, a large mobile army
would be required TO protect the canal
and keep it open.
rs our naval force prepared to give
IS control of the canal against navy
# the size, say, Of Germanys?" asked
representative Farr.
mot very well prepared" the Off
Ger replied after some hesitation.
Commander Stirling pointed out
hat lack of a base would handicap
he operations of any hostile navy
against the canal. The nearest for
aign base, he said, was Jamaica,
British possession. Questioned about
the Pacific coast. he declared he
thought both coasts OF the United
States were equally safe as long as
sage OF the feet.
Need Tenders Most.
II was explained that we had but
one submarine tender built expressly
for that purpose. This Is the Fulton,
which is not yet In service.
What we most need in a tender"
said Commander Stirling, lis a local
repair shop. Abundant space should
be provided on the tender for keeping
all spare parts and stores. IF We had
proper tenders it would obviate send
ing the boats to the yards so much.
| have written the commander-tn-
chief in regard to this.
Recently at the New York yard
We had an illustration OF the need of
the tender There is none there and
the men from four submarines could
not get quarters on the receiving
ship, which was full, and so we were
out in a box car. It was no special
hardship, as It was fitted comfort
ably, but the incident shows the
need of a tender.
1--WE have no complaint to Offer
continued Commander Stirling.
Whenever we have asked the de-
partment for anything 1t has done
he best 1t could for US. We have
not been turned down specifically"
Running over the condition of the
submarine hotilla, Commander Stir
ing said that recently when the Corn
nander in Chief of the fleet asked
rim how many submarines were in
condition for service at sea, he had
old him there was one only.
One submarine, he said, had broken
her crankshaft on a voyage from
Newport Another had burned out a
motor bearing Another had only
lalf her batteries working, and could
oe submerged but a short time, and
It low speed. All this was report I'd
~ the Admiral to the navy depart
nent. The five boats at Panama
we're pronounced all right. The +
lass of boats could be used In en-
Urgency, but Commander Stirling
would not say they were good boats.
I'm time of war we would use
rem, Of course" said he.
Commander Stirling said that ordl-
arily no battleship could be sunk
y one torpedo. The usual practice,
G said, was to send one torpedo
fter another as quickly as pissible.