Evening journal., 1915-06-16
SAYS 70 WARSH|PS
Declared UNFIT
Ex-Secretary Meyer Makes
Statement at Security
League Luncheon
BLAME FOR CONDITION
PUT UP TO DANIELS

NEW YORK, June l6.--The National
Security League brought its two-day
peace and preparation conference to a
close yesterday with luncheon in the
Hotel Astor at which more than 1000
men and women listened with eager at
tcntion TO George Won L. Meyer, ex-sec-
retary of the Navy. as he announced
that the Navy Of the United States was
utterly unit TO wal with any tirst.class
nation.
Mr.. Meyer was interrupted many
times by applause and the loudest out
burst came when he put the blame for
what he termed the present demoralized
state Of the navy squarely up to secre-
tary Josephus Daniels.
"In calling attention TO these defects"
he said, Il have not done so from de-
sire to criticise the present head of the
navy. although ] do believe that he is
responsible for the demoralzed condl-
tion OF the personnel, and the decreased
efficiency Of the navy"
Lack of battlecruisers, airshps, arm
ed aeroplanes and men, lack OF com'
prehensive policy of. national defense,
lack Of general public knowledge of the
navys condition, reduction of compile
ments OF some ships to man other and
newer ships and general unpreparedncss
on the part of many battleships and
other fighting units were enumerated az
instances Of naval inferiority. Mr..
Meyer said in part;
"Of the 33 battleships VIC have only
2l that are fitted for service without
long delay Furthermore, we have about
20 miscellaneous fighting ships not pre-.
pared for service in case Of emergency
'We lack battle-cruiscrs, airships and
armed aeroplanes.
Submarines Declared Crippled.
"Ow submarines are in a crippled
condition.
"The complement Of all torpedo de-
stroyers has been reduced from Is 70 25
/ per cent to get men 20 commission new
] boats. This reduction in personnel Is
/ a serious handicap, reduces the efficiency
/ of the destroyers affects contentment
and prevents the boat being kept in
good condition.
"The Atlantic fleet alone needs 5000
more men.
"Thc reserve feet at Philadelphia was
largely depleted in order to yet crew
for the Alabama when she was ordered
TO Hampton Roads TO enforce neutral
ity.
"Thc review in New York this year
was poor imitation OF previous re
views, in that the reserve feet was ab
sent. Il was a mere parade, not a mo
bilization. II did not indicate the tru
condition OF the navy because the peo
pie did not know the whole truth.
Charles j. Bonaparte ex-Secretary
Of the Navy. said that the difficulty o
diverting the attention Of Congress-
men from matters in their own dis.
tricts to affairs affecting the entire
nation was a real one "They are toe
much interested in the important
questions agitating Podunk" he as
! serted. "to pay attention to the ques-
tion OF national defense. If they are
to be aroused, somebody will have tC
get behind them with a sharp stick.
Mayor Curley, OF Boston, said hs
shared with President Wilson the
belief that the United States was toe
: proud TO fight.
: But away down deep in oul
! hearts" he added. 1--WE all sincerel,
/ wish that il might be possible fol
, US to exchange this phrase for an
other-too powerful TO fight"
; Worked Long for BattleShip.
= As a member Of the sgd Congress
: Mr.. Curley said. he had worked So
] aesiduously for an appropriation fol
two battleships after two Democratic
. caucauses had decided to authorize
+ the building OF none at all, that HI
. was threatened with the loss o
= patronage
To a petition for two battleships
he said he had obtained 2S signatures
These he multiplied by five he said
and when the word spread that III
had 140 signatures a third caucu
! was called and q compromise reache'
d whereby Sl5.5OO.0O0 was appropriate
= for the construction Of the battleshi
Pennsylvania, the largest in tn
u world.
a AZ the end of the speechmaking.
resolution appealing 10 President VIII
son to call to the early attention o
= Congress the pressing need OF promp
I, and efficient action" was unanimous
a " adopted. The resolution was no
+ as strong as had been expected Il
{ Wow Of the announced purpose of tn
y conference TO urge, IL necessary,
y special session Of Congress.