Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-15
Congressman

ner In his notable speech in Washing.
a ton last week on the unpreparedness OF
tho United States for war has had wide
spread influence in waking up other members
OF Congress. Congressman Gardner did not
attempt much moro than a general survey OF
the situation; he did not go into searching de-
tails to show exactly where our army and navy
are insufficient and inefficient.
Mr.. Gardeners speech has served to cali at
tention to another notable address recently
made to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee
by MIR. Willard S. Isham, q military engineer
and expert and the inventor OF a torpedo shell.
Sir. Isham makes five very specific charges OF
incfficiency against the United States Navy.
These charges were made on September 30.
publicly, and in the presence of high officials
OF the navy, and they have not been challenged
explained nor denied.
The graveness OF Mr. Isham's charges can
scarcely be overestimated Ii they are unjusti
fled they ought to be proved untrue by the
navy experts; If they are true our navy admin
istration needs immediate investigation and re-
organization.
Here is an officiai copy of Mr. Isham's nd.
dress to the Naval Affairs Committee OF the
Senate:
Conference.-The main purpose of this brief
presentation is TO direct attention to some of
the many defects in the material Of navy
Which. neutralzing many good points, destroy
the efficiency OF navy as means of ma
tional defense. A further purpose is to dis.
close some of the contributing causes that
have resulted in present conditions in the ex-
pectation that when these are fully considered
a searching investigation Of our national de-
lenses will result.
Since the time when Government
established It has been recognized that an
efficient navy operating on the high sea was
The most practical means for the protection
of our long coast lines against hostile invasion.
navy to accomplish this purpose must be
able to intercept and overcome any conveyed
force before a port suitable for base could
BIO secured and made defensble. and since it
is obviously impossible to determine in adj
vance the objective point Of attack of
enemy 1t Is necessary that our navy. TO be,
efficient must possess eyes, as 1t is recognized
that blind fighter could never accomplish
much In combat with an active enemy
Hence an important adjunct to fleet
ssts In scout slips for securing the seas and
ascertaining the strength. location. direction
and speed OF an enemys expeditionary force.
SO that he may be met by suitable force at
such point and at such time that tactical
advantage may be secured and favorable
result obtained We possess no ships capable
of cruising as scouts at distance from our
battle fleet which could not be quickly dc.
stroyed by the faster and more powerfully
armed battleships and battle cruisers of other
navtes. Hence at the door OF those RESPONSE
Bile for the condition OF our navy is laid charge
number l.
I. Our navy is inefficient because Of It's In
ability to scout out an enemy on the high seas
Our battle fleets are made up of battleships
IN which speed has been sacrificed for armor
plate and from a strategical or tactical stand
point are no better than floating fortresses, as
they can never force battle upon unwill-
ing enemy or interfere with any of his move
ments. Moreover, no part of u battle fleet can
must possess the force necessary to meet at
any time or place the maximum force which
nj enemy can concentrate against them. This
condition also results from the second defect
in navy.
2. We possess ships capable of operating
at such distance from battle fleets as to
screen its formation and strength from the
scout ahips of enemy.
Because OF this defect our fleets are COM
PEELED to be always ready and as a conse-
luence never ready to meet enemy to the
best advantage. This defect makes the de.