New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-10
What Does Mr.. Wilson Propose
to Do Now?

The commander of the Atlantic fleet fully up
holds The Tribune's revelations OF navy cohui-
tio,s. There is, as The Tribune asserted, exacty
ono submarine in frst-class shape on the Atlahuc
coost ot the present moment. 1t will take weeks
~ months 70 complete the repairs on the other
boats. the precise alarming condition whlch
The Tribune indicated. Notwithstanding the
assertions of Mr.. Daniels, Admiral FLETCHER al
mits that there has been no fleet practlce since
the Vera Cruz blockade began in February 1910
The testimony Of Admiral Fletcher cannot fan
10 have profound effect upon the nation. 1t IS
one of the regrettabe features Of military
establishment that its members are not Tree 70
make open criticism. What Admiral Fletcher stated
on the stand has been common knowledge III Ihe
service Yet not word of what amounts 10 noun
ing less than national scandal has reacheu 'he
nublic from official sources. Only the day before
Yesterday the President of the United States STOOD
before Congress and made this declaration;
To, there he no misconceptions The country has
heen rnisinformed. We have not been neglgenV ol
national defence. We are not uhnihoI" VI wv
great responsibility resting upon US
II is altogether likely that President wilson
intended no deception when he said this. lie mas
had no particle of interest in army or navy by
his appointment and upholding of Secretary Dan
iels he has convinced the navy officers ana men,
Of his inter disregard of the service as hghtng
machine. 1t is entirely probable that Mr.. Wilson
had no knowledge of the extraordinary facts
retailed bv Admiral Fletcher. 1t is certain that
had any one sought to bring such facts 10 mis-
attention Mr. Wilson would have neither COM
prebended their Importance nor felt impelled 10
action.
Such was the situation when The Tribune
undertook the task of investigating the navy ana
attaining solid basis of fact on which to appeal
To the country The difficulties in the way were
many vet when the material was finally COM
Melted it bore such evidences of truth that Inc
Tribune felt no hesitation in giving 1T the WIDEST
nublicity. We were confident that it would be
sunnorted by the facts, and our confidence was
justified.
What is to follow? The Tribune and the coun-
try are far more concerned with remedying evils
than rehearsing blunders of the past. The broad
est charges of naval decline now stand officially
affirmed What does the administration propose
to do about them? First of all, we would reiter'
ate the urgent necessity for unified, comprehen-
siye inquiry. The House Committee on Naval
Affairs has made an excellent beginning; but II
cannot be expected to develop the whole case, sys
tematically and with unity of method and pur-
pose 1t proposes to call Commander Sterling
of the submarine fotia, tomorrow. Valuable
facts will be gained. But right here is a felC
that will require not the casual attention of 9
L,,4 ,lolo, ,;,f
of the ablest Investigators Congress can muster
The problem of our submarines is very compli
n Gated one. Before all the facts are determined
Responsibility is fixed and a remedy planned, th'
highest skill in searching out facts, coupled will
persistence and entire non-partsanship, will b.
required.
There is also the Importance of investigating
the entire problem of national defence in on
unified effort Submarines, batteships, coast ar
tillery our mobile land forces, all should be con
sidered by one body and the facts regarding
them developed with equal ability and persistenc
and with one farreaching purpose-the desire o
establishing the facts upon which a and com
prehensive plan of national defence can be ai'
down.
All this seems TO US plain, unadorned common
sense. We strongly hope that in the light o
these last revelations Mr.. Wilson will be ready T.
reverse his stand and consent to the inquir!
which he has thus far opposed. Every considera
ton of public prudence and public faith plead
that the President let no persona. loyalty to Mr.
Daniels and no self-pride in his own pacific philos
ophy interfere with the discovery of the whole
truth