The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-15
NAVY DETERIORAT-
ING, SAYS GEO.
Won L. MEYER
Former Secretary of the Navy Points
Out Features and Urges Inyestiga-
ton of National Defense.

| New York, June l5.--George Won l.
Meyer, who was secretary OF the navy il
President Taft's cabinet, addressing tn
peace and preparation conference OF thu
National Security league at luncheon to
day, asserted that the American navy j.
deteriorating, outlined the respects il
which he believed such to be the casC
and urged that investigation of the ma
/ tional defense and comprehensive plaI
| for the future should be made obligatory
upon the next Congress.
Lack of battle cruisers, airships, armed
aeroplanes and men, lack of naval re,
serve Of experienced men, lack of COM
prehensive policy of national defense,
lack of general public knowledge of the
navy's condition, reduction of compile
ments of some ships to man other and
newer ships and general appropriateness
on the part of many battleships and 9TH
err fighting units were enumerated as in.
stances of naval inferiority, Mr.. Meyer
said, in part:
"Of the 33 battleships we have only 81
that are fitted for service without long
delay. Furthermore, we have about 70
miscellaneous fighting ships not prepared
for service in case of emergency.
1--WE lack battle cruisers, airships and
aeroplanes.
Our submarines are in a crippled con-
dition.
"The complement of all torpedo de-
stroyers has been reduced from Is to rs
per cent. to get men TO commission new
boats. This reduction in personnel is a
serious handicap, reduces the efficiency
of the destroyers, affects contentme emit,
and prevents the boat being kept in good
condition.
1.-THE Atlanta fleet alone needs 500"
more men.
THE reserve fleet at Philadelphia wa
largely depleted in order to get a crew
for the Alabama when she was ordered
to Hampton Roads to enforce neutrality.
'The review in New York this year
was poor imitation of previous reviews,
IN that the reserve feet was absent. 1t
was a mere parade, not mobilization.
It did not indicate the true condition OF
.he navy because the people did not know
-he whole truth.
For lack of men, ships are laid up at |
navy yards, where they rapidly deterio- !
ate, like vacant house. All small ships |
md all cruisers now laid up for lack of |
men are needed in Mexico and elsewhere, |
md should be ready for an emergency |
all to prevent the employment of battle
hips at gunboat duty. The complement
f enlisted men at shore stations ana
raining stations has been cut down, with |
decided loss of efficiency, and greatly
o the discomfort and discomfort of the
men.
ITO enumerate the ships in the navy
nd make list OF new ships authorized
ives no idea whatever of the true condi-
ion of the navy as to its readiness for
var. Ships without men are of little
Sc, and a navy without a policy and
nth no well-considered organization at
he navy department will only invite
of chaos in event of war.
"The statement of Assistant Secretary
that we need $1,000 men, is
true. The navy is deteri-
rating for lack OF men. The target
ractice this year is no better than il was |
years ago. Il
Congress is negligent in not having
general staff, and an organized naval !
serve of $4,000 experienced men.
In calling attention TO these defects,
ave not done So for the sake Of critieiz.
e the present head Of the navy, for, al. {
lough | feel that he must be held re-
,onsible for the demoralized condition
the personnel and the decreased eff.
ency Of the navy at the present time, ;
4 the lack Of any definite naval policy v
n many years. except in the general ?
'ard Of the navy, and the failure Of :
IL people and Congress 20 recognize the q
'cessity for such a policy, has placed D
IN position Of inferiority, which cir. :
instance may lead us TO war or cause
great embarra ssment a. well ~ dis
edit to the country.
The investigation Of our national de.
nse and = comprehensive plan for the
ture should BE- an obligatory matter in n
n next Congress, for the navy belongs
the people Of the country. and they
We a right 10 know its condition and
W il i being managed. The mere ap.
opriation Of vastly increased sums
Iuld not be instrumental in bringing
out the necessary reforms Or military
iciency Of the organization, that can
~ BE- accomplished by an investigation
actual conditions and a demand for
eded changes IN the way Of military re-.
rms which would b. forced upon Con
80 by an enlightened public sentiment.
This invest igation and know ledge has
sn DENIED n the people BY the leaders
the party in power. u u dspiora he
~ there should ~ an influence 70 de-
We the people in a Fnatter az such VI
irportancs. We have reariiea = ~.
q IN the worlds history When 4 must
recognized that u Ne are 20 MAINTAIN
see and safeguard The interests ~ cur
pie We must - prepared - offend
.sf1ves. let ne net furrrt-as ere na.
n a. 30 also SIRE - gorernmert. 90
VI. ffE ar~rr ard - rnrr