Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-27
eEcRETARY DANIELS ANSWERS
CRITICS OF POLICY OF HIS
DEPARTMENT..
pEFENsEe OF, NATION
BEST IN THEIR HISTORY
Great Guns Awaiting to Attack Any
Enemy That May Approximately
Six More Vessels in Commission Now
Than When Daniels Assumed secre-
taryship.

Washington, April 27-Secretary OF
the Navy Daniels made public a lengthy
review of his two years administra-
ton Of the navy department, defending
the navy from the charge that 1t Is
not properly prepared for war.
The secretary's statement is in the
form Of letter to Harry A. Garfield,
president Of Williams College, who
wrote Mr.. Daniels that he wished to be
IN position to meet the statements OF
Representative Gardner of Massachu-
sets alleging that the United States
is at present unprepaEed for military
emergencies"
Mr.. Daniels declares that the last
two years have been 'epoch-makin IN
the navy, distinguished by more wise
and progressive naval legislation and
more practical achievements than any
previous like period, thanks chiefly to
q patriotic congress"
Says Untruths Are Told.
Certain persons, ignorant OF their
ignorance, and for selfish partisan rea-
sons" he continues, "have busied
themselves with mtsrepresendng the
condition Of the navy, thereby causing
some good people to fear that the navy
Is not now, as in the past, the strong
elective arm Of the republic. All VINO
would learn the truth may be assured
that the navy in 1915 Is larger. better
equipped, and in better condition than
In any previous year and that the Meet
Is becoming more efficient with every
passing month"
Mr.. Daniels compares what has been
L.. k4~~~ Hryff ~
was done in the last two years of MI.
Meyers term under the Taft admins
tration. His defense deals more with
material and personnel than with or
ganization.
Great Number Of Vessels.
There are now in active service,
fully commissioned" the letter says,
1925 vessels Of all characters, which
is thirty-six more than were fully
commissioned when became secre-
tary. There are also 101 vessels Of
various types, in reserve and in ordin-
airy and uncommissioned, capable OF
giving service in war. We have under
construction and authorized seventy
seven vessels (nine dreadnaughts.
twenty-three destroyers, thirty-eight
submarines, and seven auxiliaries), as
compared with f1fty-four vessels (hve
dreadnaughts. fourteen destroyers,
twenty three submarines, three gum
boats, and nine auxiliaries), which
were under construction on March J.,
1913.
"All the vessels enumerated. those in
active service and those in reserve, are
supplied with munitions OF war. No
navy makes public the quantity Of
ammunition and torpedoes mines. and
other implements Of naval warfare
which 1t keeps read. It may be said.
however, that within the last two years
the quantity Of all has been steadily
and greatly increased.
Increase in Ships.
"But, you say, how about equipment
and reparation for military emergen-
cies? First, as to ships: During the
last two years Of the Taft administra-
ton congress authorized the construc-
ton Of two dreadnaughts to cost about
$13,00O,000 each. During the first two
years Of the Wilson administration.
upon my Recommendation, congress au-
tl1orized the construction Of five
dreadnaughts to cost about $4,000
each, or $70.000.000 to be spent on the
CHIEF fighting forces Of the navy, as
against $2s0o0.Oo0 authorized during