Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-08
AIRsHlPs BEING STUDIED.
Congress Certain to Make Appropria'
ton For Craft at Next Session.

Washington July S.-When congress
tackles the army and navy problem
next session there will be two phases
of it on which according to indications
there will be much more unanimlty
than on it's numerous other phases.
These relate to airships and SUD-
marines The symptoms al present
are that liberal appropriation may ne
expected in both of these directions.
The United States is in reality the
home of both the airship and the SUD
marine and though the navy had not
gone far with either Of them until
short time ago, and the army not taf
with the airship. there is no reason
why American brains can not easily
compete with the world SO far as they
are concerned. Congress last winter
showed a disposition to make up Tor
lost time in respect of the airship ana
the submarine. The coming winter, It
is expected to deal with these two
subjects with energy and literally. In
the navy, as to both air fight and
undersea navigation, there is an
awakening. and the army is busy
studying aerial problems.
II will take time for the army and
navy to develop in respect of aerial
warfare and for the navy TO develop
with reference to the submarine TO the
point which such development has
reached abroad. Still, if congress al
lows the money and gives the execu-
tive end of the government to under
stand ii wants results there is likely
to be much accomplished on COM
paratively short notice.
Announcement that an aero squad
ron including eight aeroplanes, score
Of officers trained in aviation. and
ninety or more enlisted men who are
aviation experts, who have been at the
army aero school at San Diego. are to
be sent 70 Fort Sill to undertake flights
under service conditions indicates that
the army authorities are hestlrrins
themselves. AS a matter of fact, this
is hut one evidence of activity. Ihat
the army is in far better shape in re-
spect TO aero development than it has
ever before been is known TO those
familiar with the situation. ms II
* true, is not saving that it is any
where near where II would have TO be
in case war developed with tlrst-
class power.
The navy is giving increased atten-
ton to aviation The experiences or
the belligerent navies Of Europe have
shown the need Of such development.
AS for the submarine, it can not be
doubted that high navy officers nave
been astounded with the things done
! by the submarine since the European
/ war opened. Secretary Daniels made
/, it plain in recent speech at the open
ing Of the naval war college that ne
i had been impressed.
| Not only has the navy department.
lately shown signs Of waking up on
the subject of undersea craft and re-
forming its methods as to the sub
marine but there is every reason to
believe that congress will be called on
by the navy department next winter
to appropriate more heavily than
hitherto for submarine development. In
fact, it is probable that congress VIII
1 take the hits in its teeth in this matter
F.! and appropriate freely whether the
navy department recommends big
{appropriation or not. Many members
tof congress who are unwilling to give
! a dollar for dreadnaught take the
view the submarine ought to be pro-
vided for and that if this country is
| well equipped with submarines it will
! be practically out of the question Tor
/ a foreign country 10 invade the United
States.