The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-08

sufficient submarines one nation can
prevent another from getting supplies
of any kind.
We have seen many lives lost by the
sinking OF the Lusitania. But think
Of the lives that have been saved by
the submarine. What would have been
the result II the combined fleets Of the
Allies and the Germans had me- in a
bic sea engagement? Thousands Of
lives would have been lost by the ter
rifle avoc Of the guns n millions OF
dollar worth Of naval equipment lost.
The submarine has prevented such n
battle. | cite this as n proof of my
contention that the day OF naval war
fare il past. The submarine cannot
he used as an instrument OF invasion.
Its function is simply that OF a de-
fensive nature. For that reason I be-
lieve this country will lay great stress
on submarine building in the future.
Except for the Mexican and Canadiyn
borders the United States IL separated
from the world of nations by great
eNpanses of water. II h United
States never engages In other than a
defensive war then the submarine will
make for universal peace so far as this
country Is concerned.
But one thing remains TO make the
submarine perfect. In It's functions
the undersea boat is perfection. II re-
mains for engineering experts to bring
ont IA better type of engine. and that
Is the problem yet to be solved. And II
will be solved. The best example Ii
that s%hipbuilding companies have
taken contracts 10 build submarines
equipped with $500 horsepower en-
gines. to make "A speed OF twenty-five
knots an hour. The largest internal
combustion engine for submarines to-
day has only 900 horsepower. These
companies have to complete their con-
tracts or make big forfeitures Ameri-
can enterprise win solve the problem.
The beauty OF the "amphihious" sub
marine Is that il can be manipulated
by means of %gasolene engines. and
there are hundreds Of concerns maxi
ing gasolene engines. Hulls could Ike
built in all ocean and lake yards. An
tomobile plants and boat engine man
ufacturers could turn u the engines.
We have numerous storage battery
and electric appliance companies that
could supply the necessary electric
fixtures.
In my opinion a fleet OF 100 OF these
small submarines could be built In lit
tie more than six months. We would
then be in a position to take care OF
ourselves. Say n fleet of these vessels
was stationed at New York and an at
tack was made on the Carolina or
Georgia coasts. The submarines
could he loaded on boats and hurried
south in a few hours. 1t takes q long
time to build the large submarines,
and while they are very vital and nee
cssary-do not think | am arguing
against them-I believe 1t is more
necessary that we have the smaller
type and plenty OF them II would
put us immediately on a basis OF cX-
pert preparedness,
Some critics of the submarine have
said that they could he taken are Of
by m enemy through the planting Of
mines. 1t Is n we'll established fac,
borne out by actualities in he Euro-
pcan war, that the submarine can be
and IL s~afeguarded by n new fender
device, or mime evadinR" contrivance.
1t operates on the same principle M
the shuttle %spearing its way through
the wool of the cloth.
Again. II has been said that sub
marines are susceptible to destruction
by bombs dropped from aeroplanes.
that the navigators OF aircraft can
see to a groath depth in the water.
hut ! say that 30 far ns known oniv
one submarine has been lost In the
European war in this manner and
that boat was operating on the sur
face. The modern submarine In be-
ing equipped with guns for combating
aerial attack. The submarines now
building for the United States will