Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1914-12-10
COULD MEET ANY NAVY BUT
GREAT BRITAIN DE
CLARES FLETCHER
FIRST PUBLIC HEARING
Could Control the Seas Should
There BE War with
Japan.

w ASIIINGroN Dec, 9.-The
w ability Of tho American navy
to successfully meet the war fleets OF
any nation In the world except Great
britain, was asserted today by Ad
miral Fletcher. commander-in-chief
of the Atlantic fleet. before tho house
naval affairs committee
Frankly admitting the overwhelm-
ing superiority Of Great Rritain's sea
force, the admiral said the possibility
or conflict between the United States
ana Great hritain was so remato ma
did not believe In naval policy for
'"'H country designed 10 control the
ocean - as against England
Admiral Fletcher was under eXam.
nation all day by the committee nt
the FIRST public hearing on a naval
appropriation bin held in many wears
re was plicd with questions about the
'"luilIoh or the navy, Judged by les
N"hS OF The European war. and in the
COURSE or the day made many refer
tn'eS To Great Britain, Germany. Rms
Sia, Japan ana the Philippines. Al
though confidently declaring that tha
american navy was Ovcrmatched only
ny ihai OF England, he added that If
the country continued to build only
Two baltlcShlps "A year. Germany, on
the basis of her present construction
program, soon would be far in the
lead.
couldn't Defend Philippines.
Asked specifically about the Phil
.PPlhts' me admiral would not say
.llut the American fleet alone could
successfully defend Hawaii and the
Philippines in "A conflict with Japan
although there was no doubt I'm his
mlnd OF the ability of this nation TO
control the seas in a naval conflict
with Japan.
Ultimate naval success. Admiral
FLETCHER COntended, stll rested with
ureadnauBhts and he asserted that
submarines would not seriously az
feet the vital principles" Of naval
warfare. lie admitted, however. that
from foreign naval standpoint IL waa
possible TO send submarines across the
Atlantic to attack warships on the
American coasts In the event OF
war ne said, all American battleships
aNalIaple could be made ready for
action within week.
Secretary Daniels will appear he
fore the committee tomorrow. Com
mander Sterling whom Admiral
Fletcher said was responsible for the
care of all the submarines of the
navy has been asked to come from
Boston Friday to testify regarding the
condition of the submarines, an un-
usual number of which are now out
Of active service.
A Submarine Raid.
Admiral Fletcher told the commit
tee European nation could send sub
marines across the ocean to dart into
an American harbor and assault the
American fleet II was, Of course. he
said, doubtful In some cases as to the
prdcucability Of such a move. For
instance, he said, England had a mice
little supply station seven hundred
miles away from New York harbOr AT
bermuda. The admiral said he would
recommend, as good policy, eight or
ten more submarines for coast and
harbor defense. He emphatically re-
asserted that the real success Of tho
navy must ultimately rest with the
dreadnaughts and battleship fleets
generally.
considering the location Of this
country" asked Representative Bath
rick of ohio, "do you think that the
United States war policy If there
should be war, should be to have the
navy operations largely on the defen-
s,Ve?"
We'll" replied Admiral Fletcher.
in that event II would leave tho
enemy free to drive you off the ocean
and block all your commerce."
Control of the seas, he said. was not
materially affected by the number OF
submarines operated by belligerent.
one in Condition.
1