Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-19

almost 100000 tons. 1t eliminated the
Idaho and the Mississippi, and rightly
80, for they had been sold to Greece,
! but in making up the list Of German
warships it included one of its largest
dreadnaughts which, about three
months before, had been sold to Tur-
key. It likewise included in the list
of German warships thirty eight war
craft, both large and small, having an
aggregate tonnage of $4,000 tons dis
placement, which, at the time Of pub
rcation of the book. were lying in the
bottom of the seas. This Navy Year
Book this year gave our navy third
place among the navies of the world,
but If we add to the list Of our navy
the battleships which have been
omitted, and subtract from the list
credited to Germany the number sold
and sunk in the present war, we would
find the net result that our navy easily
stands second among the navies OF the
world.
Mr.. Good here presented some COM
parative figures of the navies OF Uncle
Sam, Germany and Great Britain.
Faith in Endieott Board.
Mr. Good said that there were those
who believe our navy is large enough,
but said that it seemed to him safer to
follow the advice Of men who have
made our national defense a study and
outlined a policy that should govern
the making Of appropriations for the
army and navy.
He told Of the organization of the
Endicott board, composed of officers Of
the army and navy, which had OUT
lined big plan for our national de-
fense. It included Notifications for
coast defense, and took into consider
alton every detail of supplies necessary
for an adequate defense. Since its or
ganization ten years ago congress has
been working slowly but steadily to
accomplish what was outlined in the
| boards plan.
How we'll we have worked toward
| this plan is best seen by comparative
| figures the speaker said Fifteen years
ago we appropriated for army and
navy combined s56,0O0,0oo. The con-
gress that just closed appropriated
about the same for these purposes that
had been appropriated for several years
! last past more than s101. 100000 for the
army and more than s144,000,000 for
s246 ,OO0,0O as compared to the $751;
|
Mr.. Good followed with a comparison
of the appropriations for our navy with
that Of Germany, showing the United
States to have spent more money, but
said that unquestionably the money
/ appropriated ny Germany wen. farther.
| due largely to the increased cost OF
Rproduction in this country.
The sneaker also cited an incident of
| the efficiency of our navy, in which one
Vessel, going fourteen knots an hour,
fired twelve shots from g. twelve-inch
| gun at a target 30x100 five and one
half miles distant, and landed nine OF
the twelve shots. Efficiency, he de-
clared to be greatly desired, especially
in the use Of the larger guns, where the
cost of firing was heavy.
Sea Coast Defense.
Mr.. Good also discussed the question
Of coast defense, about which so much
has been written in condemnation OF
its efficiency. He said that the great
extent Of our coast line made 1t physi-
lcally as well financially impossible to
fortify all, but the Endicott board has
decided. and he believed rightly, to seek
to accomplish three things in coast
defense: First, the protection of our
sea coast cities. which, as rule. are
situated on important harbors; second
ly, to protect the shipping in such har-
bors and to provide a rendezvous
therein for our navies; thirdly, to pre-
went q landing in such harbors by an
| enemy and to prevent the enemy from
using such harbors as rendezvous for
its navy.
Wood Say. Over Fortified.
Mr.. Good said that Gen. Leonard
Wood. former chief Of staff Of the
army, had been asked about the coast
fortifcations, and whether or not they
were ample, and replied that not only
was our coast very well fortified, but
in many instances over fortified.
The speaker said that he would
rather take the opinion Of Genera.
Wood on the subject than that OF some
critic who knows practically nothing
1 about the Notifications.
Mr.. Good said, however, In this con
nection, that New York City was no.
amply fortified, due to the growth o.
the city, and that q vessel Of the Queen
i Elizabeth type could land shells in the
i newer portions Of New York from Z
j distance of twenty-one miles out al
sea and yet be out Of the range Of ou
guns at Sandy Hook.
The speaker also referred 70 tns
plans for the Notifications Of Cape
Henry and Cape Charles. the entrance
4 to Chesapeake bay. which would for.
dfy the nations capital from invasion
This is to be done at much less ex-
d pense than was originally planned.
i Ammunition Plentiful.
i Tn referring to the criticism OF Z
lack Of AMIN unitton Mr.. Good recitet
at length the figures bearing on thu
SIMPLY Of ammunition for differen
! sized guns. ana showed that there wa.
an over supply on hand for most guns
II He also told Of the ammunition uset
i in practice each year. and showed tina
i This country led the countries OF thu
world in appropriation Tor practic'
ammunition.
i InsNie;sney Of National Guards.
i The question of using nationa
Il guards to strengthen the army wal
4 mentioned In connection with tn
status OF the present standing army
Il Mr. Good thought that the state!
should relinquish control over the ma
4 tional guards, and the government
4 should put, q West Point man at thu