Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-12-15
DANIELS TELLS
CONGRESS ABOUT
BEST WARSHIPS
Superdreadnaughts of CaIifor-
MA Class Are High Water
Mark to Be Attained by the
American Navy


+ Washington Dec l4.-Superdreld
naushts Of Tho California class, dis
placing $4,000 tons. are declared q
represent the high water mark IN the
size of American bauleships in a
statement presented 20 congress by
Secretary Daniels TODAY outlining the
lessons OF the European war aa 20 the
best type Of ship for war
u would be unwis5, the statement
SAYS, "to build drcadnaughts So large
that they could not easily pass
throueh the Panama canal II is also
believed that On view Of the increased
efficiency Of tho tofredo. the very aN-
tensive use Of mines and the bombs
from air craft. il is decidedly better 10
increase the fighting units in numbers
rather than in size, the high water
mark In size having been reached in
vessels of the California class
Causes Departmental Debate.
The statement was submitted in re-
Spouse to a requirement of the last
naval appropriation bin that congress
De furnished with a report on build
ing four warships Of the type, power
and speed which in his CHE secre-
tarys judgment based ON knowledge
gained from the prevailing war in
Europe. are best suited for war on the
sea
in his reply Mr. Daniels apparently
brings to a close the debate which has
been aeitating the navy department
for many weeks as to the general
characteristics of the first battleships
to be recommended under the admin
istration five year building plan Ten
tative plans Tor 3G 600 ton shin arm
ed with 16-inch or perhaps l7-m
guns have been discussed Many
Ulcers believe the present 14-inlh, So
caliber weapons of the Pennsylvania
and California class ships % be ample,
since the ships win carry a dozen each
.of these as against eight or ten at
most Of the larger weapons without
radical increase in displacement
There are other navy officers and Of
ficials. however who believe the l6-
inch rifle, completed and tested last
year with satisfactory results. should
20 on the new ships and still others
who argued for a l7-iuch gun.
Supcrlrcadnaugh Best Ship.
In answering questions propoundeG
by congress the secretary declares for
the superintendent as the most ef-
ficient weapon, ship for ship, i'm amy
navy
He serves WarnIng however, that e
fleet composed exclusively of dread
naughts must meet defeat at the
hands OF better balanced organza-
ton properly equipped with battle
cruisers, scouting craft and subma
rines.
The prime military characteristics
TO be determined the statement says,
are the offensive power on a ship, as
represented by guns, torpedoes, ETC.;
and defensive power. expressed in
terms of armor and cruising radius
Much of the departments informa-
ton. continues the statement, lin re-
gard to the details affecting the effic-
icncy of helligerent ships is I'M the
form of confidential reports which III
would be contrary to the public in /
forests to make public IN any way
There are, however several c0nclu- /
sions which can be laid down.
The British Fleet Model.
THE first and most important les
son is that the British grand fleet, !
composed not only Of drcadnaughts +
and superdreadnauFhts but also Of /
bat,le cruisers light cruisers, destroy T
ars, submarines and auXilaries has /
to date maintained command OF the +
sea, thereby assuring to Great Britain (
and her allies communication with an I
parts of the world and reasonably safe
lversea transport for her military
forces and supplies, at the same time
denying similar advantages to her adj
yersaries. II is further known that,
iespite the efforts Of submarines and /
other minor craft, the losses Of this
'lcet have net neen serious
Another notable fact was brought 4
nut by the statement of the first lord
" the admiralty in November, 1919 Il
hat by the end of 1915 there would
nave been added to the fleet fifteen
'apital ships, together with a Corre-
,ponding and adequate number Of
'essels of other types All Of these in
lcate conclusvely that the command
If The Sea with the attendant security Il
IF the shores Of country exercising
hat command rests with the power
possessing ships which in the aggre-
gate have a preponderancc IN the
prime military characteristics enum-
rated above
Air Craft Necessary.
Congress asked also for q report ON
he naval value OF air craft and after
long discussion setting forth the
iced Of battle cruisers in the navy
he secretary says Of acroplanes diri-
.ilIes ana balloons
My conclusions are that an these :
ypes of aircraft each In it's partcu-
tr field nuve demonstrated their un-
doubted value for observation and
couting purposes. 10 is regretted that
n this as In other subjects pertaining 1
o the lessons Of the prevailing Euro
.can war. the great part of the de-
Information is i'm the form
{ confidential reports
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To Extend Emergency Law
M nfnufttt D..