The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-08-27
National Defense League
Points Out How Subma-
rines May Guard Many
Portions Of Coasts.
American Submarine Com
pany Builds Craft for Can
ada and Ships Output
Across Atlantic Ocean.


a greatly increased number Of sub
marines for our navy the present
movement for military preparedness
in this country will appear to other
nations OF the world a. ineffective and
absurd" according to statement to-
day of the National Defense league.
This, in brief is the substance OF the
information which will be given Presa-
dent Wilson within the next few days
in connection with his effort to acer-
tain all things needed to put this
country In a state Of better prepared
ness for war. Primarily, the demand
for a big increase in submarines come
from the navy officers and naval ex-
perts, but it is significant that this re-
quest is backed up by army officers
of high rank. Particularly among the
coast artillery and the coast fortifica'
ton experts IL there a strong demand
for submarines. ...-
submarines Necessary.
Tho exclamation OF this lies In, the
fact that there are at various points
on the shores Of the United States
portions OF the sea which can be pro-
tected only by submarines. THIS 10
because Notifications are not built SO
that the guns may sweep the waters,
and the currents are 80 swift ana IN
governable that mines can not be plac-
ed In them with any hope OF definite
results.
There has come about, therefore.
the unusual spectacle OF group OF
army officers joining navy officers In
the demand for better submarine pro-
lection. That this will have pro"
found effect on the president In the
preparation of his recommendations to
congress in behalf Of greater prepar'
edness is accepted as certain In WASH
inkton.
A big American submarine building
comnany. according to reports receive
ed here today, Is operating IN CANADA
so successfully that, a. soon as the
submarines are completed for the al
I,es thew are put into the water and
aent across the Atlantic under their
own mower with full war equipment
and ready to meet the enemy. the
building in Canada, which 10 devoted
10 assembling boats Of the Holland
type. ia made necessary because OF
the international law against building
them in the United States and then
sending them to the allies.
a submarine costs about half a MIL
lion dollars. Three hundred suoma-
riues flying the Stars ana stripes,
would cost less than week OF actual
war the authorities estimate, ana
since n submarine can destroy any oat'
tleship that floats, flotilla or tnres
hundred of the under-sea craft "oulu
he an unfailing insurance against In
vasion BY foreign foe at any time.
The president will be told that now
is the time to engage the talent ano
resources of the American submarine
companies, so that not all OF their OUT
nut can be sent to foreign countries.
Advocates Submarines.
The National Defense league, WHICH
will hold a great conference on ma
tional defense in Washington OCTOBER
~, Immediately following the encamp
ment of the Grand Army OF the re
public, has for years persistently aoVo
Gated large appropriations Tor suona
rines. Some of the officers OF tne
league declare that the United states
should have not less than three nun
dred submarines. 49,,
with three hundred submarines tnt
United States could defy the world u
successfully land troops on American
soil"
This statement was made recent,
nv Lieutenant C. r. Morrison, CHEZ
aide on the stan Of Rear Admira
Grant, commander of the Atlantic SUP
marine tlotilla. and considered the
foremost expert on undersea craft.
There is not a foreign nation. OF
even a combination of nations. tna'
could successfully land troops on Am
erican soil to combat even our present
arm" declared Lieutenant Morrison.