The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-15
DREADNOUGHT IDEAL
ship, WAR TEACHES
Daniels Tells Congress Lessons
From Conflict Abroad Show
Aircraft a Necessity.
BRITISH FLEET PRAISED

European War;" forwarded to Congress
to-day.
Secretary Daniels submitted the report
in response to a resolution asking that
he advise Congress in regard to the naval
lessons taught by the European war;
After designating the dr%eadnought as
the Ideal ship. OF war the Secretary
declares hat aircraft are an absolute
necessity In modern warfare and that
submarines must be included In any
well balanced project OF new construc-
ton
Secretary Daniels embodles the frank-
est discussion by naval experts OF the
lessons taught by the war In Europe
that has yet been made public. He
prefaces his report with the observation
that much Of the Departments informa-
ton In regard to the details AFFECTING
the efficiency Of belligerent ships Is In the
form OF confidential reports which 1t
would be contrary to public interests to
make public.
There are, however, several conclu-
sions which carf he laid down with con-
fdence az the result OF general consid-
erations based on the we'll known opera
tons to date" he added.
British Fleet Praised.
The irst and most important lesson
says he report. els that the British
grand fleet. composed not only OF dread
noughts and superdreadnouehts. but also
OF battle cruisers, light cruisers. destroy
ers. submarines and auxiliaries. has to
date maintained command Of the sea.
thereby assuring to Great Britain and
her allies communication with all parts
Of the world and reasonably safe over
sea transport for her military forces
and supplies, at the same time denying
similar advantages to her adversaries.
ut Is further known that. despite
the efforts Of submarines and other minor
craft. the losses OF this fleet have not
been serious.
Another notable fact was brought out
by the statement OF the First Lord OF the
Admiralty TO Parliament In November.
1914. that by the end OF 1915 there would
have been added to the feet fifteen capt.
tai ships, together with a corresponding
and adequate number of vessels OF other
types.
IAN Of this indicates conclusively that
the command Of tho sea. with the attend
ant security Of the shores OF a country
exercising that command. rests with the
Power possessing ships which in the aR-
gregate have n pr%eponderance In the
prime military characteristics.
Win TCspcCt 10 III NhtuC W
characteristics In individual ships every
action OF the war which has had any
influences locally or In the entire theatre
Of operations has demonstrated the ne
cessity that the victorious ship or ships
possess one or more OF these character
istics In greater measure than the enemy.
The DreadaosGht Best.
MY reply. therefore. to thte question
as TO the single type Of warship best
suited for war on the sea Is that such q
vessel must possess in the maximum de-
gree Zach and all OF the four prime
requisites mentioned in the naval appro-
p~riation In accordance with our battle
ships. which are required to he vessels
carrying AS heavy armor and as power
full armament as any vessel OF their
; elias ~. to have the highest practicable
speed and greatest desirable radius q!
action
"To make a vessel possessing each
requisite In a maximum degree a prac'
ticai possibility. unlimited cost and size
must he assumed. while FOR practical
, purposes the size OF United states war
ships Is limited by the dimensions of'ths
Panama Canal locks. OF present and
practicable types of vessels the so-called
~dreadnouEht most nearly approaches tho
ideal aimed At IN the clause or the las
naval appropriation act.
1T Is also believed that with the in
creased efficiency OF the torpedo. the yer.
extensive use OF mines and the bomb.
from aircraft, 1t IL decidedly better TO In
, crease the fighting units in numbers
| rather than In size, the high water mari
, In size having been reached in vessel.
Of the California class"
Secretary Daniels then set forth thu
81 A -.l -. -
, iced OF It's addition to the American
navy. The report adds
"Referring particularly TO that por
e ton Of the cltise directing a report II
: the Night OF the European war on th'
i, value and uses in naval warfare OF aero
-. planes. d%irigiblcs and balloons my con
clusions are that all Of these types o
aircraft. each in its own peculiar field
nave demonstrated their undoubted valu'
U for observation and scouting purpose
and por directing and controlling gun
Are"
Referring to the use OF aircraft in tn,
war the report says:
e Though hitherto not primary weapon
Of offence. there are some indication
o OF their development in this direction am
: the war ha demonstrated that onensiv
p6wer is an essential characteristic o
$ aeroplanes and dirigibles In that II per
mits them 10 carry out their duties eve
against the attempts OF hostile aircraf
o to interfere with them. Likewise II he
d comes one Of their functions to proven
n In 30 far as possible the obtaining OF In
formation by enemy aircraft"
8 referring to the value and uses of sub
marines the report says that there ca
be no question that In actual operation
this type Of vessel has demonstrated tn
wisdom OF including 1t In previous pro
and that 1t In a type whic
must be included and developed in tn
q future. In the early stages OF the wa
y II attained considerable success In tn
i fundamental purpose for which designed
y attack on a naval force OF the enemy
: has ACCOMPLISHED useful results In ie
. c~onnoissa nee work II has acted in con
junction with and Influenced the result
OF actions between capital ships. and
y has rendered more difticult and danger
= oue the overseas transport OF troops an
supplies. Referring to the successful ef
forts Of naval science to check the wor
Of the submarine the report says:
The strength Of the counter orensiv
!, or defence Ia amply demonstrates by III
fact that the strength In modern capits
. ships Of no one Of the belligerents ha
been seriously impaired by the opers
N tons or attack Of submarines.
MY conclusions are that IN adeAuat
number Of submarines must be include
!. in any we'll alanced project OF new cor
structlon but that they have not demon
m Strated that they possess "A prepOnderar
value over the other requisite types.
- ...t. an. L., nthsr caaea The puhIic tutarasi