New-York tribune., 1914-12-24
United States Navy De-
partment Gets Official
Information.
UNDERWATER
BOATS NOW LIKELY
News Is Expected to Play an
Important Part In Framing
of Naval Bill.
lrrom The Tribune Buresu.l


Washington, Dec 23.-Members Of
the House Committee on Naval Affairs
have received confidential information
that the Navy Department has learned
through official channels that the Eng
lish battleship Audacious was sunk by
a submarine and not by q mine or mag
azine explosion.
This information, received Mt the
House in roundabout way, but later
confirmed, will have an important bear
ing on the framing Of the naval ap-
preparation bill and has increased sem
timent in the committee for a liberal
appropriation for submarines.
1t was stated authoritstively at the
Capitol to-day that for ten days past
the higher officials of the Navy De
partment had been in possession Of in
formation confirming reports that
submarine worked the undoing OF the
Audacious, the most modern thing in
dreadnoughts.
Officials Of the navy during the hear
ings on the naval bill we're incidentally
quizzed regarding the sinking Of the
Audacious and appeared TO lean at that
time 20 the theory of an internal ex-
plosion or mine. Captain Winter
halter said he understood that mine
sunk the vessel" and Rear Admiral
Fiske observed that he "would rather
think It was a mine"
After the close of the hearings word
reached one or more members OF the
House committee that the department
had received positive information that
a submarine was responsible for the
sinking Of the Audacious. The officials
Of the navy, however, we're loath 10
discuss the matter when pressed TO
confirm this information. Even mem
bers of the Naval Committee found
certain officials of the navy unwilling
10 talk about the Audacious reports.
An official was finally found at the
Navy Department who admitted that
the department had received certain
information bearing out the reports
that a submarine had sunk the dread
nought. II was suggested at the de-
partment that perhaps this lnforma-
tion would be of interest 70 the Naval
Affairs Committee.
Members of the committee who have
been quietly apprised Of the situation
concede that the Audacious story is OF
prime interest. Those members OF the
committee who are strong advocates
Of the submarine in naval warfare are
now in position TO demand larger ap-
propriations than would have been OBJ
tainable otherwise, and one OF these
said to-day that an effort would be
made TO get an appropriation Tor
twelve 10 sixteen submarines.
The estimates of the Secretary o.
the Navy called for eight vessels OF
the submarine type. Mr.. Daniels said
the appropriation shoul d read "eeight
or more" TO permit the building Of an
other submarine, provided it proved
possible to effect saving in the esti-
mated price Of the eight.
It is not publicly disclosed either az
the Navy Department or at the Capltol
whence came the official information
regarding the sinking Of the Audaclous
nv n submarine. II is deemed impolitic
al this time 10 reveal the channels
through which the department has been
apprised Of the correctness OF the sub
marine theory. A member of the House
committee, however, is authority for
the statement that this confirmatory
information has been received at the
department and is being quietly passed
along 70 the committee.
This House member said to-day that
the sinking of the Audacious several
hundred miles from a submarine base
has fully demonstrated the efficiency
OF the submarine as weapon OF OIL
fence as well as defence.
"This confidential report SAID
House member to-day, "is apt 20 play
an important part in the framing OF
| the naval bill. We have been over
looking the submarine. II now seems
that no battleship, no matter how mod
crn. is safe. II battleship Of the
Audacious type. with its bulkhead pro
tections. can be sunk by submarine
torpedo il is time that we 20 TO build
inp these undersurface vessels IN large
numbers. They are as important-and
probably more important-tha battle
hin. -