The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-12-12

all reported to have too little speed
and carrying capacity for service work.
In our present condition of unpre-
paredness, in contact with any foe
possessing a proper air service, our
scouting would be blind. We would be
without the means of detecting the
presence Of submarines or mine fields
or of attempting direct attack on the
enemy from the air, while our own
movements would be an open book to
him. The general board cannot too
strongly urge that the departments
most serious thought be given to this
matter, and that congress be asked
for an appropriation of at least S.
100000 or the purpose of establishing
an efficient air service"
SUBMARINES NEEDED.
Submarines come in for extended
discussion by the secretary and the
general board. Recent developments
in naval warfare" Mr.. Daniels says,
have strengthened faith in the eff
cacy of the submarine. The depart
ment urges, therefore, the construc-
ton of an increased number of sub
marines and the larger utilization of
this weapon of Warfare which has
demonstrated it's effectiveness. There
are many Every many more than
few weeks ago) who believe the time
has come when the advice of Sir Percy
Scott should be taken. Months ago that
able English officer declared that the
submarine was the most effective ship
of the navy of the future and advised
q cessation in the rapid construction
of dreadnoughts and the utilization OF
the money thus spent in building large
numbers Of submarines. The lay mind
st low
but the trained naval officers making
up the general board are convinced
that, while the submarines have
large part to play in naval warfare,
they do not replace the larger era t.
These naval statesmen hold to the
opinion that the dreadnought remains
the central and chief fighting force of
a well-proportioned navy.
THE general board reiterates the
opinion it has always held that COM
mand of the sea can only be gained
and held by vessels that can take and
keep the sea in all times and in all
weathers and overcome the strongest
enemies that can be brought against
them 1t declares other types are val /
liable and have their particular uses
but the backbone of any navy that
can command the sea consists of the
of its day, or Of its battleShips.'
NATURE OF SHIPS.
1.-THE department feels that 1t is |
upon safe ground in looking to the !
board to prescribe the character of the /,
ships to be constructed. The large in |
crease In submarines is most desir- /
able but nothing in the present war |
has cisproved their faith In the mod
ern dreadnought. The fact that there /
has been no encounter between these !
powerful ships does not justify the |
conclusion that their further construc-
ton should be discarded in favor Of |
the smaller craft which has aston
shed the world by its ability to Sink
cruisers and other craft, giving its Sc
verest and most fatal blows before its
presence is discovered. 1t may be that Il
naval engagements later on will teach
lessons that will change expert opin-
on, but as long as the bulk OF the
ablest naval officers believe the in
crease of the navy should embrace, in
air proportion, the dreadnought. the
destroyer, and the submarine, the Sec
.etary would not feel warranted in
recommending a widely different pro.
ram of construction.
However, in view of the demon
;trated power of the submarine,
would impress upon congress the i'm
,ortance of making larger increase In
he submarine craft, appropriating
therefor without reducing
he appropriations for other craft. The
estimates 70 these were reduced to
he minimum"