New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-06-15
Gretary Of Navy Meyer
0be Of National Defense

- Aucu1 = SIOulQ De maze
upon the next congress.
"a battle-cruisers, airships,
eroplanes and men, lack Of a
serve of experienced men,
comprehensive policy OF
defense. lack Of general pub
Wedge Of the navy's condi-
4uction of compliments of
lips to man other and newer
nd general unpreparedness on
of many battleships and other
units were enum Grated as in
Of naval inferiority. Mr..
aid, in part:
t1ty-one Battleships Suitable.
be thirty three battleships we
My twenty -one that are fitted
dee without long delay. Fur
re, we have about seventy mis-
ous fighting ships not prepared
vice in case of emergency.
lack battle cruisers, airships
med aeroplanes.
Submarines. are in a crippled
uuC6a0n Serious Handicap.
q complement Of all torpedo de-
has been reduced from fif-
to TWENTY-FIVE percent. to get
q commission new boats. This
Hon In personnel is a serious
cap, reduces the efficiency Of the
9xerS, affects contentment, and
nts the boat being kept in good
lion. 1,
AZ Atlantic fleet alone needs 81
more men.
NE reserve feet at Philadelphia
largely depleted in order to get
NV Tor the Alabama when she
o1xl4red to Hampton Roads to
lee neutrality.
Review Mere Parade.
Ine review in New York this year
3 poor imitation of previous re-
3, IN that reserve fleet was abb
1t was a. mere parade, not
[Ifxation. 1t did not indicate the
ccndition of the navy because the
ia did not know the whole truth.
|6r lack Of men, ships are laid
IL navy yards, where they rapid
|Ieteriorate, like a vacant house.
small ships and all cruisers now
up for lack Of men are needed
Iexico and elsewhere, and should
ready for an emergency call to
vent the employment Of battle
"a at gunboat duty. The con,
EnSnt OF enlisted men at shore sta
Is and training stations has been
down. with a decided loss OF
siency; and greatly to 1.-THE disccn-
and discomfort Of the men.
senate Condition of Chaos.
70 enumerate the ships in the
III and make a list of new ships
horized gives no idea whatever of
true condition of the navy as to
readiness for war. Ships without
4 are Of little use, and a navy
.hout q policy, and with no well
lSidered organization at the navy
3artment will only invite a condi-
ii OF schoas In event of war
The statement OF Assistant Secre-
4 Roosevelt that we need $4,000
d, is undoubtedly true. The navy
e En- 49, TOT iacA q men. me
3 20 y l - = snis Iase yeaI - ~
Is. 80 ~ IT !. was .en yeals aso.
kspn Tess e nes ilsenc II no. lasiils
J lasne1 8 NO e y ue-
80 z seAsIal s.a1l. anu an 49,
Z .as-vsll isserve oL ou'ooV eAper-'
va llleu' NJ II.
Not CIdticisfng Daniels.
TN calling attention to these de-
I'D. have not done so for the
e Of 3criticising the present head
the navy. for although { feel tha,
must be- held responsible for the
1aoralized condition Of the person
| ana the decreased ef1ciencv 81
yavv At the presents time vet The
Il al anv definite naval nolicy for
my years. except in the general
ard OF the navy, ana the failure OF
2 people and congress to recognize
necessary Ior sucn q poncy' mas
Geo ~ ~ 2 posltlon OF lnler1or1ty
Iicn sclroDinstance may lead us C
~ or cause US great emparrass-
nj, as Wen as dlscredlt 70 the
untry.
ne lnvestigatlon OF our natlona
Lense ana 2 coIlpT p piai
~ q ~