New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-10
TFrom The Tribune Bureau

Washington Dec 9Substanang practically all of The Tribunes
disclosures regarding neency of the United States Navy the iack
submarine protection the Atlantic Coast the shortcomings IN meet
~ the lack Of definite policy shortage OF men, Rear
Admiral Frank Fletcher commander or the Atlantic eet was an as
undnp witness before the Naval Affairs Committee to-day
Standing uneqvocal testimony OF Adma fietcne
his admissions that there feet practice since ships were h
M Mexican early l9S and that there was only one su
the Atlantic Coast IN hgntng trih' ihe i"e' ~ P
ently in The Tribune.
Commando Yaes sterling in charge of the hota who will
questioned regarding the unprepared conduon OIL
vessels
Comics Of recent issues of The Tribune conspicuous about the
committee room to-day, members took turns in asking Admiral
Fletcher about the exposures Secretary Daniels who will be heard to-
morrow will undergo similar grilhng.
Nationwide criticism the and its administration was largely
responsible for the committees permit publicity of its hear
% An eome Fletche statements and admissions is
as follows:
ave have not been able to get together baeshp for fleet
ships first sent to Mexico
at is true that only ships for fleet drill off the Virginia
The Raghps arrived there h put the remaining
ax showed up about the time expected them
One Ready for Action
~Yes only submarine in first class con-
% on the Atlantic Others undergoing repairs or overhaul
ing they will be just happens that most OF them are
repairs now. 1t is not a regular performance
need and five thousand men to man the navy to its
ful fighting strength
81 must ask to be excused the necessity for
n eighteen baeshp Cruz while the port was occupied by
soldiers and there Mexican navy TO hgh inns IN answer 10
aqueion put in that forml
~ou ships have had individual practice and division
evres but since separation incident the situation Mexican
assembled sixteen vessels Tor fee
exercises.
On intend have drill period in
uary before through the Panama
Canal
e could not successfully against the navy of
Eand if she per of her
hip it would be pretty close fight
think England the only navy against whom could make
Successful defence
We must keep building ships say
continue building and until an international disarmament is signed
~ submarine a opportunity The batthip
ased in deciding naval conflicts
shin in our recently had five calls collision
m The Tribune article stae) have been advised
Tribune Articles n Record
Much If the five hours Admiral spent stand was
ded 70 discussion Of Tribune articles from which put
n the record Representatives Roberts of Massachusetts, Williams
Illinois and Butler Of Pennsylvania led in the rigid
Examination Admiral Fletcher and Chairman Padget and Representa-
uVes Bathrick and Gray occasionally took hand
Taking portfolio Of The Tribune OF December Rep
claiming that Of the
marines fighting At the
admiral mot correct but when
n by Mr. checked off the submarines their locations and
tns the admiral figured that only vessel in
nn for work. After reading The Tribune article the follow
g eouy Representative Roberts and Admiral
fletcher:
Af RoerNow continuing, the article have referred 70 says;
The submarine built and building about
yye submarines only seventeen now on the active
M On the Atlantic these five have just had new batteries
d and practice the Canal Zone that statement
errect 70 far7
Admiral Fetcher-It is correct
ioDert there the active M ana hVe IN the
aal Zone that would leave The article continues:
vi the others this the Norfolk yard under