Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-16
MEYER SAYS NAVY
is DEEERIORATING
Former Secretary Says More Men
and an Experienced Reserve
Are Necessary.
MANY SHIPS WITHOUT CREWS

NEW YORK, June l5.-George
Won l.. Meyer who was secretary OF
the navy in President Tatts cabinet.
addressing the Peace and Prepare
ton conference OF the National Sc
curity league at luncheon today, as
serted that the American navy is de-
teriorating, outlined the respects In
which he believed such to be the case
and urged that investigation OF the
national defense and comprehen-
sive plan for the future should be
made obligatory upon the next con-
gress.
Lack of battleship-cruisers, air
ships, armed aeroplanes and men;
lack Of naval reserve of experienced
men, lack OF a comprehensive policy
OF national defense, lack of general
public knowledge OF the navy's con-
dition. reduction OF compliments of
some ships to man other and newer
ships and general unpreparedness on
the part of many battleships and
other fighting units. we're enumer-
ated as instances of naval inferiority.
MIR. Meyer said, in part: y
More Men Are Needed.
For lack Of men. ships are laid up
at navy yaris. where they rapidly de-
teriorate. like a vacant house. All small
ships and all cruisers now laid up for
lack of men are needed In Mexico and
elsewhere, ano should be ready for an
emergency call to prevent the employ
mont of battleships at gunboat duty. The
complement OF enlisted men at shore
stations and training stations has been
cut down. with a decided loss OF ef.
ficiency and greatly TO the discomfort
and discomfort of the men.
ITO enumerate the ships in the navy
and make a list of new ships authorized
gives no idea whatever OF the true condi-
ton OF the navy as to its readiness for
war. Ships without men are of little
use. and a navy without policy. AMI
with no well considered organization at
the Navy department will only invite n
condition Of chaos in event of war.
1.-THE statement OF Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt that we need 1900 men Is un-
doubtedly true. The navy lie deteriorat-
ing for lack of men, The target prRc-
tice this last year Is no better than IL was
ten years ago.
Congress is negligent in not having
established n national council OF de-
fense. a general staff, and an organized
naval reserve OF 5000 experienced men.
Broad Plan Necessary.
The Investigation OF our national de-
tense and a comprehensive plan for the
future should be an obligatory matter
In our next congress-, for the nevy belongs
TO the people of the country. and they
have a right to know its condition and
how Il is being managed. The mere sp
preparation of vastly increased SUM
would not be Instrumental in bringtnI
about the necessary reforms or m,litar,
efficiency of the organization, that car
only be accomplished by an investiga tioI
of actual conditions, and a demand 10
needed changes in the way Of militar1
reforms. which would he forced upoI
congress by an enlightened public senti
nent.
This investigation ana knowledge ha
: been denied to the people by the leader
Of the party in power II n deplorabl
! that there should be an influence to dc
: ceive the people in a matter of such vita
. Importance. We have reached a perio
: in the worlds history when 1t must /
: recognized that II we are to maintAi
). peace and safeguard the interests. OF oil
\ people we must be prepared 10 6efen
Q ourselves. Let us not fUrget-as the~ni
= ton is. 80 also are Its government 1
public. IL army and It's navy"