New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-20
FIctcher's Report Shows
Fifteen Needs Of the
Atlantic Fleet.
NORTH SEA BATTLE
PRACTICE MODEL
Shooting Better than Ever, Says
Acknowledgements Asked
for Turret Guns.

Washington. Jan. ia.-Strippcd Of ~
military secrets, the annual report Of
Admiral Fletcher, commander IN chief
Of tho Atlantic feet, was made public
to-day by the Senate. IL says that, on
June 80 last. the feet was better bal
auccd and doing better shooting than
ever before IN its history, but lists
fifteen specific recommendation a. 10
conditions which should be remedied.
These recommendation range from
shortage Of men and lack Of swift
scout cruisers and aircraft 20 elimi
nation OF the compulsory feature Of
the Nays educational system.
With the admirals report was let
ter Of transmittal from Secretary DAN
ieis stating that many Of the condl-
tions referred to already had been
remedied end that steps had been
taken 20 carry out other recommended
tions. The Secretary also pointed out
that Admiral Fletcher said most Of the
weaknesses were Of long standing and
that he had mtted discussion % "the
many satisfactory features % the
feet IN the interest OF brevity."
The report was sent 20 the Senate. IN
compliance with q resolution offered
by Senator Lodge. but was held 70 be
confidential. a. the Senator's request.
To-day Chairman TiIlman. Of the Ma
val Committee, asked that the d0cu-
ment be made public. as IL had been
censored by the Navy Department Of
military information deemed wise 20
withhold. and Senator Lodge agreed
FIetcher's Fifteen Complaints.
The fifteen specific complaints OF
Admiral Fletcher are summarized by
Secretary Daniels a. follows:
Shortage o. officers.
Shortage OF men
Lack Of fast armored cruisers aud
fast light cruisers.
Limitations OF mobility and sea
going qualities Of submarines
Lack of aircraft.
Lack Of radio direction finders
Too frequent overhaul % battle
ships
Necessity Of maintaining fuil COM
plemerts in active ships Of the feet
Need Of additional mining and
sweeping vessels
De-irability Of mobilizing ships in
reserve annually with active feet
Necessity OF increased facilities a.
feet rendezvous.
Need Of battle target practice at
long ranges.
Provision for division commanders
FOR mining and auxiliary divisions.
Provision for more speed in de-
sign OF fighting craft intended to-op-
crate With the feet
Need OF aut.-aircraft guns.
,
port. the number of units assigned 20
the feet has been increased 10 per cent.
resulting in a better balanced fleet. As
was shown by the maneuyres in Au-
gust. There are now i'm the Atlantic
feet 1lS vessels Of various types.
manned By force Of more than 27O00
men.
Referring 10 the mannuvres Of the
year. about which there has been much
discussion. Admin raj Fletcher states that
"all the operations of these manpuvres
were successfully carried out, with
submarines, and the vesults reflect
credit on the personnel and material
of the fleet"
4 suggestion IN the report VII oh at-
tracted considerable attention said: II
consider it important that the depart
ment investigate the possibility of pro-
viding grapeshot or a similar form Of
ammunition for use Of the turret guns
IN repellIng destroyer attacks"
Record for Open Sea Scores.
Admiral Fletcher devotes consider
able space in his report 20 target prac-
tice of the feet. saying that when due
allowance IS made for varying cond-
tions Of practice from wear 70 year 1T
Is believed the scores are higher than
ever before made in open sea" In
connection with his recommendation
for shooting at longer ranges, it is
known that the spring target practice
Of the feet will include this year work
at $4,000 yards, the maximum distance
at which the battle Of the North Sea
was fought when the German armored
cruiser Butcher was sunk.
Various paragraphs have been strick-
on from the report by the Navy De
partment ~ containing military infor-
nation which should not be public.
There is considerable discus sion how
ever. of the maneuyres TO show the
necessity Of swift cruisers for scouting
work. Admiral Fletcher recommends
that the force for ten armored cruisers,
now scattered on various details, many
OF them on the Pacific Coast, be assem-
blcd 70 operate with the fleet as a unit.
The report disciOses that severa.
ships of the Connecticut class have had
repeated accidents 10 their shafting
while running at speeds between twelve
and fifteen knots For this reason they
cannot be operated with the feet az
cruising speed. although fully efficient
AZ their maximum speed OF eighteen
knots or more. Vibration OF the shaft
ing Is assigned "a the cause, ana spe
cial board has recommended increasing
the strength of the shafts.
NauN nannn Snifrs Daniels.