New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13

wants not less than 200 aircraft to put
the. United States in its proper position
with relation TO the other first class
powers.
Aircraft Needs of u. s.
According to Captain Bristol, 100
aeroplanes for active service and 100
more 70 be held in reserve are the i'm
mediate needs of the naval service.
The General Board had advocated an
appropriation by Congress OF $4,000, 600
for aeronautical work. -,
be required to bring the aeronauticsl
standard OF efficiency, Captain Bristol
told the committee. The following IS
his presentation of the situation with
regard to the need for aircraft.
The air navy of the United States
must consist Of aeroplsnes, semi-rigld
or non-rigid airships-the destroyer,
cruiser and battleships Of the air, re-
spectively. The aeroplane will be
used for scouting to discover the en-
emy's feet, especially submarines and
mines, and to attack the dirigjbles and
aeroplanes of the enemy.
ANY nation that has suitable air
craft could detect submarines he
added. The aeroplane can see sub
marines and mines very plainly, guide
the dirigible to them, which can de-
sccnd close TO the water, drop high
explosives to counter mine the mines
or destroy the submarines. We can
pick up the mines at their usual depth,
even follow the anchor line of the
mine down to q considerable depth be-
low the mine.
"The submarine, II IL comes TO the
surface, would be attacked by the sur
face craft. The submarine could dive
deep only for 8 limited time, but must
come up and show the periscope to
get its bearings.
Explode in the Water.
"a bomb dropped upon IL should not
be arranged 70 explode until beneath
the water. II, say, 200 pounds Of high
explosive, IL would disturb the sub
marine not submerged more than
thirty or forty feet, even to the ex-
tent of disabling it, or it might de-
stroy the periscope. The perlscope is
often discovered by the wash il makes.
One could see a submarine fifty to 100
feet in clear water.
at Is the torpedo boat Of the air
against the airship cruisers and bat
tleships. Having discovered the sub
marines and mines, 1t directs the air
cruisers TO attack these craft and to
countermine, and, at the same time,
protects the cruisers from the en-
emy's aircraft. The air cruisers also
will lay mines, probably will be USED
to drop aerial torpedoes on the sur
face ships Of the enemy and be uti,
lized over land for reconnaissance ana
dropping bombs.
"The uses to which air craft can be
nut in war will be better known after
the European war. IL seems that the
air navy will be just as essential
part of the country's fighting force as
the battleships and submarines. The
front of our feet in action has now
become a vertical plane, with subms-
rines and mines beneath the surface,
battlesiips, cruisers and destroyers on
the surface and air craft in the air. TO
be successful against any enemy the
country must have command OF the
air the same as command OF the sea.
Service Paper on Daniels.
"The Army and Navy Register" one
OF the service papers published In
Washington, prints an editorial to-day
taking issue with The Tribune's criti-
cisms Of the administration OF the
Navy Department. II regards them as
too personal in their character. Then,
as though to explain its own position
In respect to the present administra-
ton Of navy affairs, the editorial pro-
ceeds: -,
ave entertain no doubt that Mr..
Daniels has made mistakes. He plays
politics altogether too much in his
conduct of the affairs of the navy. He
INDUCES in too many reckless claims
as to improvement and economy. HIS
celebration Of the virtues OF his ad-
ministration is not always dignified.
But he is doing his best, which is not
criminally incompetent"
Navy officers in Washington to-day
are tittering in groups over 1.-THE Reg
ister's" praise of the naval secretary
"Whoever suspected that his incompe-
tence was criminal In character" de-
manded one junior officer Of another
to-day.