Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-27
Daniels Demolishes His Critics

TT was very remarkable and very complete
answer to his critics that made by
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels. and printed
i'll The Times Dispatch yesterday. In sen
fences simply phrased. without evidence Of
resentment or attempt at rhetoric, the secre-
tary reveals what has been accomplished for
the navy under the Wilson administration,
and so sweeps out of court all the major
counts in the indictment brought against him.
He shows that the vessels in active service
and fully commissioned have increased. by
thirty-siX since March. 1913; that the sup
plies OF ammunition have been largely en-
ced-doubed in some cases-in the same
time; that the enlisted strength. for the first
time IN years, has attained the maximum au-
thorized by law: that far larger additions to
the nayys fighting craft. from Dreadnoughts
to submarines. have been made than in the
corresponding period Of the Taft administra-
ton; that there have been great improve
ments in armament. and that for the first time
q serious effort has been made and the APP
preparation Of money obtained to develop and
extend the use OF aircraft
Mr.. Daniels shows moreover, that this
progress has been won-and 1t is but part
of the progress reported-at no sacrifice of
economy. On the contrary, large savings
have been effected in the purchase of armor
plate ammunition and other naval needs.
More ships are in active service and more
and better ships are in process of construc-
ton than during the Taft administration, but,
despite these facts, the increase in naval ap-
preparations has been nearly negligible
The money in other words, has been spent
where its use was demanded and where il
would do real good.
New spirit has been infused into the en-
listed men, who have been taught by con-
crete example that to them the door of hope
and advancement lies always open. There
have been actual instances. in sufficient num-
her TO provoke emulation, where enlisted men
have been appointed to cadetships at An
napolis or raised to commissioned rank.
That new spirit which long has animated
the army, was needed in the navy The
secretarys frank and open encouragement
has aroused the resentment of some of the
officers, jealous of any invasion of their old
privileges and reserves, and this resentment
has been sharpened by some of Mr.. Danels's
own indiscretions. We confess inability to
see the propriety of his adjoining himself
with an officers cap and having his photo
graph taken with his arms around the necks
of two enlisted men. That was to make his
propa ganda quite little ridiculous
There was further evaporation amons the
officers due to his order abolishing the wine
mess. Men who had grown gray in the SER
vice of their country regarded this as direct
aifront and as an intimation they could not
be trusted to observe restraint themselves
and enforce it. if that were necessary, on
their juniors. In the light Of the experience
OF the European war, however, and OF the
growing conviction that those to whom the
care of delicate machinery and many lives is
ntrusted should not drink ntoxicants in any
quantity the country did not respond with
enthusiasm to these complaints.
The fact is that the most noisy and in
fuential of the secretary's critics are those
he has offended by his economics. and espe-
cialy by his enforced reductions in the cost
OF armor plate and ammunition. 1t is the
old cutlery Of the privileged interests that
thrived and waXcd fat under Mckinley,
Roosevelt and Taft. Too wise. in the pres
cnt state of public opinion. TO fight frankly,
they disguise their anmus and adopt dsin-
eenuous measures Of attack