Evening star., 1915-06-15
.BARES INFERI0R|TY
Of AMERICAN NAVY
George Won L. Meyer Describes
Lack of Men and
Auxi|iaries.
CRITICISES CONGRESS,
PEOPLE AND DEMOCRATS
Tells Peace and Preparation Confer
ence of National Security League
of Needs Afoat.

| of Needs Afoat.
| NEW YORK, June 15.-George Won L.
Meyer. who was Secretary of the Navy
| in President Taft's cabinet, addressing
the peace and preparation conference
of the National Security League az
| luncheon today, asserted that the
American navy is deterioratinE, out
lined the respects in which he be-
lieved such to be the case. and urged
! that investigation of the national de-
fense and comprehensive plan for the
| future should be made obligatory upon
the next Congress.
! Lack of battle cruisers, airships'
armed aeroplanes and men, lack of
naval reserve of experienced men. lack
of a comprehensive policy of national
defense, lack of general public knowl-
edge of the navy's condition, reduction
of compliments of some ships to man
other and newer ships and general un-
preparedness on the part of many pat
ltleships and other fighting units were
enumerated as instances of naval IN
feriority. Mr.. Meyer said, in part:
| "Of the thirty-three battleships. We
have only twenty-one that are ntteo
| for service without long delay. Fur
thermore, we have about seventy mis-,
cellaneous fighting ships not prepared
| for service in case of emergency
I'VE lack battle cruisers, airshlps ana
armed aeroplanes.
| our submarines are in a crippled
condition.
."The complement of all torpedo de-
.,royers has been reduced from Ia to
! o5 per cent to get men to commission
new boats. This reduction in personnel
is a serious handicap. reduces the EN-
cheney of the destroyers. affects con-
tentment and prevents the boat oelns
kept in good condition
'The Atlantic fleet alone needs 5000
more men.
Ships Deteriorating.
..The reserve fleet at Philadelphia
was largely depleted in order to get
crew for the Alabama, when she was
ordered to Hampton roads to enforce
neutrality.
'.The review in New York this, year
was a poor imitation of previous re-
views, in that the reserve feet was alb
sent 1t was a mere parade, not mo-
bilization 1t did not indicate the true
condition Of the navy, because the peo-
BILE did not know the whole truth.
."For lack of men ships are laid up at
navy Yards, where they rapidly deterio-
rate, like a vacant house. All small
ships and all cruisers now laid up for
lack of men are needed IN Mexico ana
elsewhere, and should be ready for an
emergency call to prevent the employ
ment of batt1eships at gunboat duty
The complement of enlisted men at
shore stations and training stations has
been cut down, with a decided loss of
eficiency, and greatly to the discon-
tent and discomfort of the men.
ITO enumerate the ships in the navy
and make list of new ships author
ized gives no idea whatever of the true
ness for war. Ships without men are
of little use, and a navy without
policy and with no woil considered or
ganization at the Navy Department will
only invite a condition OF chaos In
event of war.
The statement of Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt, that we need $4,000
men. is undoubtedly true. The navy
Is detefiorating for lack Of men. The
target practice this last year is no bet
ter than IT was ten years ago.
Congress Is negligent in not having
established a national council Of de-
fense. a general staff and an organized
naval reserve of $4,000 experienced
men.
Not Criticising Secretary.
I'm calling attention to these defects.
I have not done so for the sake of
criticisng the present head of the
navy, for although I feel that he must
be held responsible for the demoralized
condition of the personnel. and the de-
creased efficiency of the navy at the
present time. yet the lack of any def
mite naval policy for many years. ex-
cept in the general board of the navy,
and the failure of the people and Con-
gress to recognize the necessity for
such a policy. has placed US in a posi-
ton Of inferiority. which circumstance
may lead us to war, or cause us great
Embarrassment. as well as discredit to
the country.
THE Investigation of our national de-
fense and a comprehensive plan for the
| future should be an obligatory matter
In our next Congress. for the navy be
| longs to the people Of the country. and
they have right to know its condition
and how 1t is being managed. The
mere appropriation Of vastly increased
sums would not be instrumental in
or military efficiency of the organiza-
ton; that can only be accomplished by
| an investigation Of actual conditions
and demand for needed changes In
4 the way of military reforms, which
would be forced upon Congress by an
| enlightened public sentiment
Criticises Democrats.
This investigation and knowledge
| has been denied to the people by the
leaders of the party in power 1t is de-
I plorable that there should be an infiu-
ence to deceive the people in a matter
of such vital Importance. We have
reached a period in the worlds his
tory when it must be recognized that il
we are to maintain peace and safeguard
| the interests of our people we must be
| prepared to defend ourselves Let us
not forget as the nation is, so also are
its government its public. its army and
its navy
4 Preparedness Is Plea.
Better military and naval prepared
ness on the part of the United States
4 was urged here last night by speakers
Of national prominence at a mass meet
) ing at Carnegie Hall under the aus
u pices of the National Security League
The speakers included Jacob NJ Dick
inson and Henry l.. Stimson, former
Secretaries Of War; Charles j. Bona
Judge Alton B. Parker, who is honor
ary vice president of the league. and
DIR. Lyman Abbott.
In introducing Judge Parker al chair
man of the meeting. s. Stanwood Men.
ken. president of the league. outlined
l its purposes and said the conference
desired to inquire into the necessary
steps which should be taken for A n i'm.
II mediate adequate national defense"
Judge Parker declared that the pres.
/ IContinued or Tu,.ITtL