The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-12
BIG GUN BATTLESHIPS
 ARE NAVY'S MAINSTAY,
 SECY. DANIELS REPORTS

submarine construction is but an ear nest of what must be done in the fu- ture When we shall have a division of sea going submarines in cotIadniSsion we will have added to the ibattleShip fleet a strong fighting unit which must be of importance in any sea op- era tions.
 GAS far as the submarines them selves are concerned, it is believed that ours are on a par with any in the world. In the appropriation made by the last Congress two types for the first time were included--one of high surface sped, to accompany the fleet, and one for coast and harbor defense Tn the building of two such distinct types we are Tn accord with what for eign countries are doing, and subrnar- inc flotiI1as in the future will prob ably be composed of vessels of these two types.
 Of aviation the Secretary. says
 Air crafts have demonstrated in the 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 well as on the sur face of and underneath the water
 They provides the best means for dis covering submarine mines, and now have become an indispensable naval adjunct.
 s We are in the infancy of air craft
 
 Hof these craft in this country needs to be stimulated, and the success of this arm of the military service abrostd will be 9 mighty stimulus to Anerf- Ecan mafufacturerers
 l Orders were given, early in the year, for some foreign built aerop lanes in addition to larger orders for aero planes made in this country. Unfor- tunately, the war made it impossible for the orders placed abroad to be filled and the trial of such craft must be postponed. The best types of Am erican manufacturs have been ordered, and the department will deve1ope this modern branch of the naval service steadily and rapidly.'.,
 The General Board does not take the same view. It's report refers to it's recommendations in 1913 which (which to the attention of the department the dangerous situation of the country, of fthe country in the lack Of air craft and air men in both the naval and military services At. the present time, the to- tai number of air craft owned by the Navy consists of twelve aeropIanes not more than two which are of the same type and all are reported to have too little speed and carry capacity for service work
 Tn our present condition of unpre- fparedness, in contact with any foe possessing a proper air service. our
 
 without the means of detecting the presence Sof Submarines or mine fields or of attemptin direct attack on the enemy from the air, while our own movements would be an open book to them The General Board cannot to strongly urge that the departments s most serious thought be given to this matter. and that Congress be asked for an appropriation af at least $5 900 oeo for the purpose of establishing an l efficient air service
 Financial conditions resulting from the European war have caused the de- partment from asking this year for an increase in personnal Secretary
 Daniels states, but says that a plan will l be presented to Congress next session Tor 6he organization Of competent inaval reserve force from the men who have. recieved honorable discharges from the navy.
 l The General Board lays great stress lon the question of personnaL 1 The Board the report says, connof urge the repeated recommendations to ] provide the fleet with a personnaI ac- I tive list and trained reserve, equal to the manning of the fleet for war IT, the opinion of the General Board this i. IS "a tnlatter of even more serious inn- bort hhan of construction, for 1t can i not De too Often repeated that ships Wltno trained peFBonnal to mann and fight them are useless for the pI1I-- pose of war The General Board rec iscoTnnends legislation for an active personnaI. officers and enlisted force capable Of keeping in full sconapniss;o7, all battieships under fifteen years Of age from date of authorization. all l destroyers and submarines under 12 I years Of age Hom Authorization. I1aIf or the cruisers and all gunboats, and l l all all the necessary auxiIIeries that 20 with the active fleet; and of fIlrnisF, : ing nucleus crews for all ships in the navy that would be used in the time of war, and the neseary men for tbs lralnlng and other other shore stat