Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-08-24
MORE SUBMARINES
ARE RECOMMENDED
Rational Defense League AID.
vocates Construction of at
Least 800.

Washington, Aug. 23.-"Without a
greatly increased number of subina.
rires for our navy the present move
ment for military preparedness in
this country will appear to the other
nations Ct the world as ineffective and
absurd" according to a tateMent to-
day Of the Natioral Defense league.
This, in brief. is the substance of
the information which will be given
President Wilson within the next few
days in connection With his effort to
ascertain all things needed to put
this country in a safe Of better pre-
parednes, for war. Primarily, the
demand for a big increase in su5ma-
rines Genes from the avy officers
and naval experts, but it is signifi-
cant that this request is backed up by
army officers of nigh rank. Particu-
larry among the coast artillery and
the coast fertilization experts is there
a strong demand for submarines.
The explanation OF this lies in the
fact that there are at various points
on the shores Of the United States
portions OF the sea which can be pro-
tected only by submarines. This is
because Notifications are not built so
that the guns may sweep these wa.
tiers, and the currents areaso swift and
ungovernable that mines cannot. be
placed in them with any hope of def
mite results. (
There has come. about, therefore,
the unusual spectacle of a group of
army officers joining navy officers in
the demand for better submarine pro-
lection. That this will have a pro
found effect on the president in the
preparation of his recommendations
to congress in behalf of greater pre-
paredness is accepted as certain in
Washington. ~.
A big American submarine build
ing company, according to reports re-
.ceived here today, is operating in
Canada so successfully that. as soon
as the submarines are completed for
the Allies, they are put into the wa
ter and sent across the Atlantic under
their W power vita full war equip
ment and ready to meet the enemy.
The building in Canada, which is de-
voted to assembling boats Of the Hol.
land type, is made necessary because
Of the international law against build
ing them in the United States and
then sending them to the Allies.
A submarine costs about halt. a mil
lion dollars. Three hundred subma-
rines flying tle Stars and Stripes
would cost less than a week Of actual
war, the authorities estimate, and,
since a submarine can destroy any
battleship that floats, a flotilla OF 900
OF the under-sea craft would be an
unfailing insurance against invasion
by a foreign foe at any, time.
The president will be told that now
is the time to engage the talent and
resources. OF the American subma-
rine companies, 50 that not an Of
their output car he sent to foreign
countries.
The National Defense league, which
will hold a great conference on ma.
tional defense in Washington, October
AZ. Immediately following the Grand
Army Of the Republic encarnpment,
has for years persistently advocated
large appropriations for submarines
Some Of the officers OF the league d.,
clare that the United States should
nave not less than 800 OF the under:
sea boats. al
with 300 modern submarines, the
United States couid' defy the world
to successfully land troops on Amer
lean spill" !
This statement was made. recently
by Lieut.. C. r. Morrison, chief aide
on the stan Of Rear Admiral Grant,
commander OF the Atlantic s,Ibmai
rine notilla and considered the fore
most expert on under-sea craft.
There is not . foreign nation, oil
even 4 combinations OF nations. that
could successfully land suficient
troops on American soil to combat
even our present army" declared
Lieutenant Morrison.
900 PAssINoGR AoENT 70 70
CAFE A. MltsoT.
Minot, n. D., Aus. 8.-James IA
S.hceran, who has been travelling pas
senger agent. Ct the 500 Line, with
headquarters ut Duluth. mas bssns