Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-01

RECENT MANEuvERs SHOW
SUBMARINES ARE UNFIT
Three 5attleships Damaged by FouIing
Other Vessels During coaIins Opera
tions-Aeeidents Coming on Top Of
Criticism Of Secretary Daniels and
His Management Cause Of Comment.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, June fittings are not
running happily in the navy depart
ment. Following close on the New
York maneuvers and the many words
of praise given the navy by Secretary
Daniels, the secretary has been obliged
10 announce some untoward happen
| ings.
The latest Of these is the fact the
magnificent armored cruiser, North
Carolina, went aground inside the out
er harbor of Alexandria, Egypt. In
f, some way not yet explained. the ship
went aground and dredging had to be
attempted to relieve her.
The news concerning the North Car
DINA followed right on the heels Of the
disclosure that about half the sub
marines employed in the maneuvers OF
the Atlantic fleet at New York were
temporarily disabled and that an in
| vestigation was ordered to find out
what was the trouble and why they
were breaking down so often.
Submarines Unfit.
Last winter, the country was re-
peatedly told by Representative Gard
ner that the submarine fiotilla was in
bad shape and inefficient Commander
Yates Stirling said the same thing.
much to the disgust of Secretary DAN
iels. Since then, Secretary Daniels has
been saying much of the merits of the
fleet, including the submarines. Now.
il appears that of twelve submarines
employed in the New York and Nara
gansett maneuvers. not to exceed seven
remained fiji for duty
Big Ships Damaged.
In addition TO this, telegram was
received telling about damage to the
battleships Louisiana, Virginia and
Nebraska at Naragansett. while a
squat was in progress The Cyclops
and orion. while coaling the ships,
dragged and fouled them and the
Jupiter dragged and fouled the Lou
isiana All Of the vessels involved
were more or less damaged but the
battleships can be repaired by the
forces on board them
The frequency of accidents recently
to rne navy vessels mas become d sub
ject OF much comment and is the more
interesting now because Of the fact
that many persons in Congress and
throughout the country have criticised
the administration of Secretary Dan
iels.
1t is but a short time since the bat
rleship Connecticut broke her shaft be-
cause Of maximum of vibra ton. This
led to an investigation and TO an adj
monition from Secretary Daniels to
Admiral Fletcher to take care to avoid
running the warshps at their danger
Gus speed
Mishaps To Be Expected.
Not only this, but the loss OF the F-4
off Honolulu is still fresh in the public
mind and the work OF trying to raise
this vessel and find out what happened
| is still going on.
| Last winter was the serious explo-
| sion on the San Diego in which num-
Der We're injured or killed
| Navy department officials. OF course.
! defend themselves by saying that it is
! impossible TO conduct a great list Of
| engines of war. such as are the bat
| tleships and cruisers and smaller craft,
| without mishaps and that the best man
| agement could not avoid them. How
ever, it is clear that they feel keenly
! the occurrence of accidents at this time
when the eyes of the country are on
the navy and the administration is be-
(. ing sharply criticised for not keeping
! the navy up to the standard which it
| ought to be kept at In view Of world
| developments since last July.