New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-12

fighting unit which must be of large
Importance in any oversee operations.
AS far as the submarines them
selves are concerned, it is believed
that ours are on par with any IN the
world. The development of our types
has been logical, and in each new type
the ideas and comments of the officers
and men who operate the submarines
in service have been considered. In
the appropriation made by the last
Congress two types for the first time
we're included -one of high surface
speed, to accompany the feet, and one
for coast and harbor defence. In the
building of two such distinct types We
are in accord with what foreign coun-
tries arc doing. and submarine fotlllas
in the future will probably be COM
posed of vessels of these two types.
"Reccommendation is made for the
construction of an additional oil ship
and gunboat. both of which are
urgently needed. A transport and
supply ship are building, and the de-
msnd is chiefly for ships that have the
highest military value. AuxillarleS
can in need be purchased. but 1t IS
matter of years TO construct hghting
ships. Economy should be practised
therefore at this time in auxiliary
craft"
Wants Better Air Fleet.
The Secretary urges further consld-
Grafton BY Congress Of the develop
ment of an effective air feet by the
navy. He makes no definite recon-
mendation. whereas the General Board
has suggested an expenditure oil So,-
100000. Secretary Daniels says:
"Air craft have demonstrated IN the
present war in Europe that no military
arm is complete which lacks them.
They will not replace vessels OF war
but will extend the field of operations
TO the air as well as on the surface OF
and underneath the water. The recent
wars have demonstrated the inestlma-
bic importance of scouting, and the DAY
is not far distant when modern
Maury will chart the currents OF the
air as that great naval officer charted
the currents of the ocean. Air craII
on the land prevent surprises OF the
character which have determined most
military victories. They provide the
best means for discovering submarine
mines. and have now become an mas
pensable naval adjunct We are but III
the infancy Of air craft. The develop
ment i'm the manufacture of these craft
in this country needs TO be stimulated,
and the success of this arm OF the mill
tarv service abroad will be a mighty
stimulus 10 American manufacturers
early i'm the year a board OF eA-
perienced officers was appointed Dy inc
Secretary to consider and make recon.
mendations for the development OF
aeronautics in the navy. After thor
ouph investigation this board recon-
nended the establishment of an aero
mantle station at Pensacola, Fla, the
organization there of a flying schooi
for officers and men in the art OF aerlal
navigation and the purchase OF certain
tvnes of aeroplanes and other nylng
craft. Orders were given early IN the
year for some foreign built aeroplanes.
in addition TO larger orders LOT aero
planes made in this country. Inc pu,
nose of ordering abroad was TO enable
the aeronautic school to test out inc
host foreign designs in construction
and equipment. to the end that 'hs
navy might adopt those which nae
demonstrated themselves by actual
trial TO be best fitted for the service.
"IJnfortunately, the war made u irH,
possible for the orders placed aoroau
70 he filled. and the trial OF such craft
must be postponed. The pest types ol
American manufacture have oeen or
oered. and the department. VIII ueNeloP
this modern branch OF the naVal ser
vice steadily and rapidly. lndeed,
has been more ready to develop u iuI-
inc the last year than the manulacI-
urers of this country nave Ipeen u
SUNNY the demand for craft OF ap.
nroved design. II is recognized that
we are but on the threshold oil the de-
velopment and utilization OF AIR craft
and their steady increase on large
scale is a fixed policy of the Depart
ment."
Secretary Daniels details economies
:. H. denartment. and says that under
tho system of government manutact-
,,ro the cost of powder has been re-
Jrced from so cents 70 80 cents
nonnd Torpedoes made by me gov
ernment cost $1,000 each, against So
200 two years ago, and so,OOo II ooush'
at a private plant.
The mooted question of personnel Is
answered by the Secretary with the
statement that the effective hghtihg
force behind the guns of the dread
nouphts is greater to-day thaA III pre-
vious times. IT. soct
Secretary Daniels reviews the enect
of his famous anti-wlne mess oruer
cficially Order No. 99-wlth numerous
c.tations from other directors OF large
who have seen ft 10 enforce
the rule OF abstinence.
Two