Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-06-03
BATTLE CRUISERS FALL BEFORE
SHELLS OF GUNS OF HEAVIER
DREADNAUGHTS.
ADMINISTRATION OPPOSED
TO LARGER VESSELS
Policy Of Daniels, Upheld by Democrats
Of House, Shown by North Sea Fight
to Be 5ad-Resuit MAY Change En-
tire Naval Program of Congress
Not a New Theory Among Experts.

Washington, June 3.-That the naval
of a defeat for the democratic party
as for Great Britain was the consensus
of opinion in Washington last night.
Officers of the navy, basing their
opinions on the meager reports re-
ceived here, believed that the British
battle cruisers had to go into an en-
gagement with German dreadnaughts.
1T was probably the first real test
between a battle cruiser and dread
naught," said one official who has high
rank in the department, and appar-
emily the dreadnaughts have demon
strated perfectly their ability to handle
themselves against battle cruisers
News lrks Daniels.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels was
greatly perturbed over the early res
ports which reached the office of navai
intelligence.
On Tuesday Mr.. Daniels went up to
the house and lobbied against the re-
publican amendment for the construc-
ton of two battleships in the naval
program. He insisted battle cruisers
were equal to battleships. The repub-
licans predicted that in the first en-
gaGement where battle cruisers had
to stand up against dreadnaughts the
latter would come out victorious.
Mr.. Daniels said the result of the
engagement might change the entire
democratic program for construction.
1t was quite apparent from his attl-
tuGe that he IS ready to desert the
little navy coalition which he helped
form in the house and go to the senate
to urge battleship construction.
Decisive German Victory.
Up to late hour naval officers here
were still in the dark as to the compo-
sition of the opposing fleets, and the
manner in which the engagement was
precipitated. Unofficial reports that the
British sank a German battleship Of
the predreadnaught period Is the basis
for belief that the German high seas
feet was in position to go to the sup
port of the cruiser squadron, and there
by turn the tide of battle. The engage
ment in the light of present informa-
ton is regarded as a decisive German
victory.
With respect to the engagement be-
tween battle cruisers and battleships.
one navy captain said:
According to our present informa-
ton here was no British dreadnaught
sunk, but three battle cruisers were
lost 1t proves that while the cruiser
serves a highly important purpose in
swift scouting, it is not able to stand
up against the heavy battleship and
exchange shot for shot. With its light
err armor and lighter armament it is
completely outmatched.
Not New Theory.
Now, this is no new theory. 1t has
been recognized by military men right
along, and information to that effect
was given any one who asked for it.
The battle, if our present information
is correct. simply proves an old theory
and shows that the navy program
which would build up the scout ship
equipment at the cost of the fighting
equipment is not correct. There Is a
chance for the senate to add two dread
naughts to the program, and the SEN
ate, l hope, will do so.'
The comment at the capitol was sig
nificant One of the strongest advo-
Gates of a big navy, who declined to be
quoted until there is complete informa-
ton about the fight and substantiation
of the present generally accepted re-
ports, said that current information
proves conclusively the folly of leaving
dreadnaughts out of the program.