The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-05-20

which are the equal of those of any
other country, and that one fiotilla
of submarines has just completed a
remarkable long distance run; that
we recognize the need for more fast
light cruisers; that we have lately
ordered eight aeroplanes and diri-
gible out of a million dollars special
ly appropriated by the last congress
for aviation; that within the last two
years the navy's mine equipment has
been more than doubled; that we are
adding yearly to our force of auxiliar-
les, while more time has been devot-
ed this year to target practice and
manoeuvres than in many years past.
We are proud of our navy as it is.
ton in making it better and
greater"
Dewey Praises Fleet.
Admiral George Dewey, president
of the general board Of the navy for
the last Is years, sent letter to the
dinner in which he said:
The efficiency of the fleet has pro-
gressed steadily and never has been
so high as it is today"
The letter was read by Secretary
Daniels. The people of New York
have just cause for pride in the fleet
now assembled in their harbor,
wrote Admiral Dewey. mot only is
it composed of the finest and most
efficient warships that we ever have
had, but it is not excelled, except in
size, by the fleet of any nation in the
world; our officers are as good as any,
and our enlisted men are superior In
training, education, physical develop
ment and devotion to duty to those
of any other navy. AS president of
the general board for the last Is
years, l can say with absolute con-
idence that the efficiency OF the fleet
has progressed steadily and never
has been so, high as today.
However, we need more ships,
more officers and more men,.
Admiral Fletcher's Opinion.
Admiral Fletcher said that battle
ships alone were inadequate and be-
come a prey to torpedo boats, sub
marines and mines, and that it was
necessary to have different types Of
vessels to protect battleships. He
also emphasized the need of large
scouting cruisers, destroyers and
submarines.
Major Gen. Wood said it was i'm
portant to the government that the
navy should grow, and that it must
grow to be adequate.
Gen. Wood said that to be an ef-
fective support and part of the first
line defence the militia has got to
become very much more federalized,'
otherwise, he said, the nation would
have to wage war in the future as it
has in the past, "as a confederacy.
Hundreds of thousands Of specta-
tors lined Riverside Drive and goth
cred in Riverside Park tonight to see
the illuminated ships of the fleet and
witness a display of fireworks from
aoats in the river.
Thousands of enlisted men visited
the theatres in the city tonight for
the last time during the visit of the
fleet. During the afternoon many
we're entertained at baseball games at
the Polo Grounds and in Brooklyn.
Meanwhile during the morning DR..
S. Schulman, rabbi of the Temple
Bethel, delivered an address to Jew
ish sailors. He paid tribute to Presi-
dent Wilson in his stand in the note
to Germany on submarine warfare.
An aeroplane from which J. Robin
son Hall was dropping American
Beauty roses on the ships of the fleet,
fell from a height of about thou
sand feet into the river tonight. The
aviator was submerged and rendered
unconscious. Hall and Jack Tweed,
another aviator, who accompanied
him in the fight, were rescued by
steamers from the battleship Nir-
ginia and taken on board the ship.
The ships suggeon announced that
Hall was in a dangerous condition.