Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-25

But they could come into Chesapeake
bay and establish a base along that
shore, then send an army in any di-
rection. There are few such points as
that"
Charleston, S. c., and New Orleans,
might be damaged by long range
fleet fire, he said. and twelveinch
guns with high angle fire giving them
a range beyond any guns afloat or
contemplated for navy ships would
answer the defense purposes at such
points Atlantic City and Gloucester,
Mass, similarly might be victims of
fleet fire, he said, but their lombard
ment would not injure the nations
ability to continue the war and il is
not proposed to fortify them.
at would be deplorable and very
unfortunate for the citizens" he ad-
ded. but it is impracticahle to defend
the whole coast against damage.
Certain points are selected for for
tlfication where the damage would be
so important as to affect the fighting
ability of the United States They are
still not protected against damage
which could be done by bodies OF
troops landed and marched overland
to one of these cities.
"The theory is that we have plenty
of people and plenty of resources to
take care of that condition. If we will
use them. If we will not use them
there is no way TO take care of It.
Admiral Winslow told 4he naval
committee that gunnery on American
ships started on the grade soon
after it had been brought to its most
efficient point during President Roose-
velts ineumbency.
Just lately" he added, "the del
partment began working out a new
system of finding the faults with our
gunnery. In my opinion, however, If
we had had a general staff, our eff
cheney would never have gone down. y
General Staff Needed.
The admiral maintained that the
original plan under which the general
board was created was intended to
lead to general staff. That he said,
was the vital need Of the navy; all
military functions should be under the
direct control of professionally trained
navy officers. He declared that no
secretary Of the navy had ever had,
or possibly could have had the knowl-
edge necessary to pass upon the aues-
tions which he must decide under the
present system. 1t would take fifty
wears. he believed, to bring the fleet
IN its possible standard Of efficiency
and in answer to question, he said
he did not believe the navy now TO be
even moderately efficient.
What was lacking said the admiral,
was authority vested in board OF
trained naval officers to coordinate
all the military work and Keep the
fleet at fighting pitch at all times.
lie believed no ships should be placed
in reserve but that all should be kept
constantly in commission and tully
manned in order that sufficient men
might be trained.
staff TO Have Authority
ASKED WHAT dutHVilty iit "S''" N
from the secretary and lodge in star
he said he would have the entire mill
ltary side of the service absolutely un-
der the staff
"If il is a question of mounting u
fourteen inch or slxteen-inch gun,
said the witness. naval officers should
decide that. They are the men VINO
will use those guns
The navy war college, Admiral VIM
slow said, was very valuable adjunct
land other nations had followed the
American lead in establishing sucn m
stitutions, yet it had been nearly uone
away with under several secretaries
THE war college" he added rs re-
ceiving better backing from MT Dan
liels than it has ever had.
Enactment of laws to permit pro-
motion by selection. as recommehdeu
by the navy department, also was
urged by the admiral. Such Ia"
was virtually necessary, he sald' III
order to bring young. vigorous men 70
FLAG command where nerve, quich
thinking and a high degree OF Skin
ware demanded to make Tor rect el-