Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-13
PACIFIC COAST is
POORLY DEFENDED
Daniels Says Western seaboard
Without Adequate Protection
in the Event Of War.
Atlantic Squadron Could ne Dis
patched 60 scene I'm Eighteen
nays Time, says Naval
Secretary.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-while admit
ting that the Pacific coast now was
without adequate protection in case OF
war. Secretary Daniels told the house
naval committee today that II an emcrg-
ency arose the Atlantic fleet could be
dispatched 20 the Pacific within eighteen
days to deal with any hostile craft that
might succeed in running the gauntlet
Of American submarines from Manila
and Honolulu. Moreover. the secretary
announced that the day Of a small fleet
in the Pacific would end next March,
when the Panama-Pacific exposition Is
TO be formally opened with an interna-
tional naval parade.
Led by questions participated in by
nearly every member Secretary Daniels
discussed the navys inability to get sat-
isfactory airships, the problem OF tho
submarine torpedo boat, which has Of
fered more difficulties than all other
craft combined; opposed extravagant ap-
propriations for either the submarines
or air craft; and incidentally suggested
that the public need not be surprised
1t any time from now ON TO read Of a
CONTINUED on Page Two, Column Five.)
battle royal between the fleets OF the
opposing nations OF Europe.
References to Mexico.
A reference TO Mexico followed ques-
tions by Representative Roberts of Mas
sachusetts about criticisms by the gen
eral board OF tho navy Of the use Of
battleships where gunboats would suf-
flee. Mr. Daniels agreed with this in
general. but said there were occasions
and emergencies when battleships. and
! not gunboats. were essential.
What was the military necessity
Representative Roberts asked, referring
to the Vera Cruz occupation, "of keep
| ing eighteen hattleships, off Vera Cruz
ana Tampico when Vera Cruz was held
by the American army and marines?"
There were not eighteen all the time, =
the secretary replied. "The number was
gradually reduced from eighteen to four,
II we had had TO blockade all the Mexican
ports." ne explained. ''ail the battIeshipa
would have been needed. II we had
gone to Mexico City we would have had
to take half the navy with u.s.
DreadRouEhts in Pacific.
Mr. Daniels explained to the committed
that there were no dreadnoughts on tho
Pacific coast and the only battleshir
there was the Oregon. which was abou,
to be transferred to the active list again
He said the active naval strength on the
Pacific now included nine cruisers. twc
gunboats. one transport. five torpedo boat
destroyers. three submarines and one
/ tender. while the reserve fleet comprised
five armored cruisers. twenty-four tor.
pedo boat destroyers and two submarines
DO you think these vessels are ade.
ouate or sufficient protection to the Pa
ctfic coast for war? Representative ste
phens OF California asked.
No we have not got a great flee
there. We have no dreadnought there
would not want a fleet without dread
nought--a very strong fleet. II we wer,
to have trouble with any nation we wouiS
send fleet through the Panama canal +,
You do not think trouble could aris,
and very material damage be done be.
fore any fleet could arrive on the Pacifi,
coast7'' s
Odds other way.
Il think the odds are the other wav
One Of the reasons. perhaps chief reason
Why we built the Panama canal was /,
make It possible TO have fleet to defend
both coasts"
Have we fleet sufficient to aefsn,
both coasts7"
Yes. siri altosether sufficient to siefen,
both coasts"
But it cannot defend both coasts?p
mot at the same time. II we are goinI
TO have war we can set fleet to tn
Pacific coast. The day when the Pacifi
has small fleet. and with no chance O
the fleet being on that coast. win en-,
next March We shall keep the flee
where It comes best to keep it for tn
protection OF the country AS a matte
Of fact. there Is hardly a possibility o
, our being attacked on both sides at once.