Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-26
(Continued from Page One)

was, of far greater value in one i'm portant respect than the well planned routine, because it gave demonstra-
 t1on of the readiness of the navy in every department, affoat and ashore, to meet an urgent call. Its f1exibility
 was shown in adjusting itself to en- tirely new and unexpected situations, as well as its remarkable adaptability in handling every problem presented to 1t.
 Tt must be conceded by all that the best school and preparation for war is war itself, and it was almost under this condition that our fleet acted in proceeding almost in a day to Mexican waters. The stay at Vera Cruz, how ever, did not prevent practice, for the ships, individually or in divisions, dur ing a great part of the time, held tao
 tlcal manoeuvres, torpedo proving practice and sub-califbre drills in prep
 aratlon for target practice.
 Vera Cruz Experience.
 For many years, officers have writ ten and talked about the formation of aovance base material and the prac- t1ce Of exercising landing parties of seamen and marines in the use of this important adjunct to naval warfare. congress appropriated money for this important plan of campaign, but never until January of last year was the iAs~fS l41OS 080TClSeO. mere mad been p!eney Of talk. but not until January or last year was it undertaken. Then, under instructions from the depart ment, Admiral Badger carried out a comprehensive exercise in which the professional advantages gained by. of f1cers and men were inestimable. Three months after this extensive practice had been given for the first time in our navy. The same fleet, and the same men were called upon to land at Vera Cruz. and in the taking of that city the navy carried out under fire what had been learned at Culebra
 Ihese details are given because every man knows that the efficiency Of the navy depends upon constant practice, but nobody in the navy thinks anything like perfection has been reached, and constant study and work are pursued with the aim of continued improvement. If the fleet was eff cient in any degree before Admirals Badger and Fletcher carried out the drills thus detailed, it is much more efficient today, and it will be made more ready every year. All that cap able and trained officers and men can do to accomplish this steady improve ment is being done. Only the uni formed or the partisan deny the steady improvement of the past two years, thanks chiefly to Rear Admiral Badger and Admiral Fletcher.
 2 Preparation for Emergency.
 "But, you say, how about equip ment and preparation for military emergencies? What has been done since Wilson's inauguration to make the navy stronger in ships, in ammu- milton, in mines, in torpedoes? Those questions are of the utmost import ance. Let me answer them briefly.
 First, as to ships: During the last two years of the Taft administration, congress authorized the construction of two dreadnaughts. to cost about $13.OOO,O0O each. During the first two years of the Wilson administration upon my recommendation, congress authorized the construction of five dreadnaughts to cost about s14,OOO,- poo. Stated in dollars, the Wilson ad- mipistration has authorized seventy million dollars to be spent on the chief