New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-03
Resignation Due to Lack
of Harmony with Sec
retary Daniels.
CAUSES A STIR
IN NAVY CIRCLES
Bureau Chief Long an Earnest
Advocate of Reforms Opposed
by His Superior.
Prom Tne Tribune Bureau J

Bradley A. Fiske, L. s. N, aid for
operations Of the Navy Department,
placed his resignation Of that detail
In the hands Of Secretary of the Navy
Josephus Daniels yesterday. The res
ignstion was not made public and has
NO: yet been officially announced. 1t
is regarded here as the most significant
demonstration of the weakness Of the
Daniels administration that has de-
yeloped in the two years of his regime.
II has greatly excited naval circles.
When seen by the correspondent of
The Tribune tonight Rear Admiral
Fiske declined to discuss his resigns-
tion beyond saying he had delivered
the document 10 the Secretary yester-
day. lie explained that it was not
resignation from the navy. and he
would serve in whatever capacity he
might be chosen 10 serve during the
remaining one year and two months
Of active service coming TO him before
retirement.
Secretary Daniels relieved Rear Ad-
riral Fiske from duty as aid to-day. He
said tonight he had not determined
whom he would appoint TO the post, but
he had asked the advice Of Admiral
Winsow and would confer with Ad-
miral Fletcher, Captain Winterhalter
and other officers as 10 the best way Of
organizing the new bureau. President
Wilson will be consulted before final
decision is made.
II has been well known in Washing
ton for many months that the Office OF
aid for operations had become great
burden 10 Rear Admiral Fiske. His po-
sition under Secretary Daniels has
been made particularly irksome by the
entire lack Of accord between him and
the civil head OF the navy, The rear
admiral has preached the doctrine Of
preparedness to his chief ever since
lie came into Office. He has officially
expressed the view that TO meet the
requirements Of latter day naval war
fare with complete efficiency the
United States Navy would require five
consecutive years Of undated effort
by legislative, executive and military
branches Of the administration. He
told this to the House Committee on
Naval Affairs as long ago as last De-
cember.
The rear admiral was most definite
in his explanation TO the legislators.
Il. 81 hot "a
requirements of war both in the mat
ter Of ships and personnel, TO say
nothing of adequately and properly de-
veloped war plans, the rounding out Of
the inefficient units of the presently
incomplete feet, the reorganization Of
the navy personnel, and an entire re-
from in the system of naval admins
tration was necessary before the navy
would be ready to combat any first
class naval power on equal terms.
Urged a General Staff.
Rear Admiral Fiske was an earnest
advocate OF the creation of a naval
general staff. In this he was out Of ac-
cord with Secretary Daniels. The Sec
retary in his testimony in December
announced unalterable opposition TO
the genera, staff scheme. He expressed
the view that the Secretary of the
Navy was the indirect representative
Of the people of the United States,
chosen by the President, who had been
directly chosen by the people, and on
him should rest all the responsibility:
Rear Admiral Fiske took direct and
definite issue with the views of his
chief before Congress.
II is believed that other requests for
transfer from the various bureaus in
ha h
coming soCn. Much dissatisfaction has
existed among the chiefs of the various
bureaus over the refusal of Secretary
Daniels to adopt a policy in harmony
with their views. This dissatisfaction
is more or less widespread. Some OF
those high in authority point out that
their usefulness is impaired in enforc-
ing the policies laid down by the Sec
retary Of the Navy.
Rear Admiral Fiske in his testimony
before the House Naval Committee de-
elared that il would take five years
10 get the feet into condition success
fully to meet an effective enemy, and
That IL would take three years TO get
the personnel up TO a standard OF
efficiency necessary for the same pur-
pose. He asserted that the United
states had no general plan of naval
''eIOpIlenL independent VI 'HV0V
framed to meet economical exigencles,
and that an immediate necessity, II
coherent plan of naval development
was TO be followed out, was the Gre
s'lon Of q naval general staff.
The rear admiral also testified that
'he United States was deficient IN
scout cruisers. battle cruisers, destroy
ers and all other auXiliaries. He said
me may needed more target practice
and greater efficiency in all branches
p" The science of gunnery.
IN addition to his qualifications as
practical sailor and fighting man, Rear
ADMIRAL Fiske also has attained emf
nenee as sn inventor. Many of his in
entions are in daily use in the navy
:!O-day, and they total fifty-seven. He
remarked By navy men throughout
.ne world as one of the most compe-
Nht and efficient officers in any service
sr, n the world. lie is the author Of
aaa,eetrlcity in Theory and Practice"
war Times in Manila" and numerous
,sTpeiar and technical articles on cleo
meiiy and naval subjects. He was
Eeadent Of the United States Naval
institute in 1911 apd 1912