South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-15
DREADNAUGHT IS
IDEAL BATTLER
Secretary of Navy Makes Rec
concentrations Based on
European Conflict.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 15-Sec'y Of
the Navy Daniels Tuesday submitted
to congress some lessons in naval
construction learned through the
European war He admitted that
events In Europe had proved that
any adequate construction project
must include a gOOdly number Of
submarines and scout cruisers. The
battleship he asserted still main
tanned its supremacy and the dread
nOught was the best type TO build.
The report was made In response
10 a provision ia last years naval
appropriation bill calling upon the
secretary to submit recommends
tons based upon the experiences Of
the European war
Sec'y Daniels says that several les
sons can be learned from the Euro
Dean war among them being:
The first and most important les
sOn is that the British grand feet
composed not only OF dreadnoughts
and superdreadnOughts but also OF
battle cruisers. light cruisers. de-
strOyers. submarines and auxiliaries
the sea. thereby assuring to Great
Britain and her allies cOmmunica-
ton with all parts Of the world and
reasonably safe oversee transport
for her military forces and supplies.
at the same time denying similar ad-
vantages 10 her adversaries.
DreadnOugbt the Ideal.
MY reply therefore as to the sin
gle type Of warship best suited for
war on the sea Is that such a vessel
must possess IN the maximum de-
gree each and all Of the four prime
requisites mentioned in the naval
appropriation act in connection with
our battleships which are required
TO be vessels carrying as heavy
armor and as powerful armament
as any vessel OF their class, to have
the highest practicable speed and
greatest desirable radius OF action
"Of present and practicable types
Of vessels the so-called dreadnought
most notably approaches the ideal
aimed at in the clause of the last
naval appropriation act"
The report reviewed the activities
swept the seas. destroying commerce
as an argument for building up a
force Of efficient scout cruisers and
battle cruisers.
Battle Cruisers Needed.
ct is a notable fact" it is said.
that in every naval event OF con-
sequence which has occurred in the
North sea area, the leading parts
have been taken by vessels of the
battle cruiser and scout cruiser type
and II is evident that had either side
lacked such vesselsi would have
been at a disadvantage"
On the subject OF aeroplanes the
report said;
THE value Of aircraft cannot be
more forcibly stated than in the
words OF a prominent officer OF one
OF the beligerent nations addressed
TO the representative assembly to
which he is responsible for the con-
duct OF the war.
Air Scouts Vital.
cit goes without saying with re-
gard tG the proper use OF artillery
and to reconnaissance work Of all
kinds. both on sea and on land, that
the extended scientific use of aero
planes has become Of the most rudi-
mentary necessities OF every army
and navy. Any government would
Oe grossly negligent of it's duty if it
did not make every effort both To
extend the mechanical DEVELOPMENT
OF the aerOplane and to secure an
adequate supply OF well instructed
and vel trained pilots and observ-
6rs."