Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-10-22
NAVY POOR, SAYS
F. D. ROOSEVELT
DanieIs's Assistant Discloses
Total Unpreparedness of De-
partment for War.
CREWS SHORT ABOUT
10000 MEN, He ASSERTS
Acting Secretary Also Tells of
Obsolete Vessels and Lack
of Torpedoes.

WASHINGTON, Oct. %. - The
shortcomings of the United States
navy as to preparedness for war are
disclosed in a statement made by
Acting Secretary Roosevelt of the
navy. The statement is supplement
tarv to one issued few days ago by
Secretary Daniels, who replied TO
criticisms of the navy's preparedness.
siMr. Danielss statement was rather
4 general discussion of navy policy
and an explanation of why the policy
Of the general board has not found
Aecentance. Mr. RooseVe1t's state
n1ent is more specific and sets forth
precisely the DEFICIENCIES OF the navy
Az nresent. with reference to pre-
paredness for war.
1.-The greatest shortage is in srefef-
ence to men, according to Mr.. Roose-
velt. The navy has not enough men
10 man the ships which would be
needed in war despite the fact that II
Is recruited up to the very last man
allowed by Congress. Eighteen thous-
n.nd more men would be needed to
man ships in existence necessary for
war but now laid up for lack OF
men.
lin material there are few deficien-
ces. Mr. Roosevelt states. There is
n lack Of torpedoes. as pointed out
by Representative Gardner, and there
is also pressing need for more auxil-
larry vessels, such as scouts, supply
khips. transports and tenders. The
navy policy, however, In view OF the
Reluctance of Congress to appropriate
for warship construction, has been to
yet the batteships first, as auxiliary
Vessels can be acquired quickly upon
the imminence of war, whereas bat
Aleships require years to build
Not Enough Men for Ships.
!. Mr.. Roosevelts statement in part is
as follows:
elm regard to the numbers OF officers
and men of the navy, there has never
been an attempt to hide the fact that
although the numbers are recruited
ND to the limit allowed by Congress
we have only sufficient men to man in
AN adequate manner portion of the
vessels already built. At present
three second line battleships, two
ar1nored cruisers, four first class
.cruisers one second class cruiser, two
tthird class cruisers, twenty-one de-
sstroyers, three monitors, five sub
marines, one gunboat, three fuel ships
and two vessels of special type are in
commission in reserves; that is to say,
they have on board only from % per
,cent to SO per cent. of the crews
snecessary to man them in case of war.
"There are also six second line bat
,tleships, one armored cruiser, one sec
sond class cruiser and fourteen tor
.pedo boats which are in the condition
technically called in ordinary These
vessels are manned by from 10 to 20
per cent. of the regular compliments
Just enough to prevent them from
srusting to pieces.
!. Further there are three second line
sbattleships, three second class cruis-
.ers, one third class cruiser one de-
sstroyer, two monitors, four torpedo
boats, six gunboats, one transport,
repair ship and eleven converted
yachts which are out of commission
altogether.
"These vessels are in nearly every
; case hopelessly out of date. They are
ito all intents and purposes unservice-
able for war purposes. Several of
these gunboats, torpedo boats and
converted yachts are in the absence
of suitable vessels being used by the
naval militia of the various States.
1s,o00 Men Needed
ITO provide a proper complement
for all vessels OF the navy which
could still be made useful for war
purposes would require an addition to
the present force allowed by Congress
of about $4,000 men. Meanwhile the
sproblem is becoming more difficult as
Time goes on, because of the vessels
under construction which must
shortly be provided with crews.
u For instance. during the coming
year two battleships, the Oklahoma
and Nevada, will take their places
.with the fleet. Each of these vessels
sWill require complement of nearly
Loo men.
I'm regard to ships and their equip
ment cluding guns, engines, range
finders, etc, matters are on the
whole. in excellent shape. As units
the vessels in commission are well
built. well designed and well cared
for, and compare In all types favor
ably with the vessels of other powers.
In fact. believe that they are better.
I'm a few particulars, such as the
lack of sufficient torpedoes, there is
room for great Improvement Also in
regard to the lack of certain
auxilaries and the insufficient num-
Der Of scouts much can be done to
make the fleet better balanced
But the navy has felt that while
II greatly desires a well-rounded fleet
in the material sense. it would be the
greatest possible mistake to secure
such fleet at the expense of the
! main seagoing fighting craft; that is
TO say our bAttleships and destroyers
This is because makeshift auxiliaries
can be irnprovised in an emergency,
!. whereas battleships must be planned
and commenced at least three years
Beforehand"