Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-10

WAsfIINGToN' March s.-Ap-
w proximatly S1.500,000.000 for
new ships and an annual up
keep charge of $760,000,000 Is what
Admiral Fletcher. commanding the
Atlantic fleet, estimates it would cost
to carry out the navy general boards
recommendation that the American
navy should equal the most powerful
fleet afloat by not later than 1925.
The admiral's estimate was given
today in testimony before the house
naval committee. Representative CAL
loway, who brought out the statement,
called attention to published reports
that Great Britain had added nearly
a million tons to her fighting ships
since the war began. He asked II the
situation was not "hopeless." Ad-
miral Fletcher thought not. adding
that. Judging 10y its great wealth. the
United States could well afford to
give its interests the same protection
that other nations thought necessary.
Representative Hensley asked IL a
race in building warships or in any
other military preparation between
two nations had not invariably led to
war. Admiral Fletcher said no. and
expressed the opinion that failure to
prepare was merely making certain
that n nation must surrender its
rights.
War to End In Year.
Representative Galloway asked II it
was not reasonable to assume that the
European war would end within n
year or a year and half at most.
Admiral Fletcher thought 1t would.
and added that he believed the close
Gln a
portunity IN history for the success
Of an international disarmament or
limitation of ornaments argument.
He insisted. however. that the United
States could not afford to put off its
navy building on that account.
"Whv not put all our energies into
completing ships already authorized"
Representative Galloway asked. "and
so far as new building Is concerned,
await the conclusion of the war;"
Admiral Fletcher repeated his
statement that the hope of disarma-
ment agreement was too vague to
build upon.
Representative Oliver asked IL any
thing had developed within the last
two years to shake Admiral Fletcher's
faith in heavy armored ships as the
main strength Of navy. lie asked
particularly If high explosive shells
had made armor less trustworthy.
There has been no development in
high explosive shells worth mention
ing in that time" Admiral Fletcher
replied
Representative Galloway took the
witness through number of hypo-
thetical naval engagements to sup
port his contention that battleships IN
the presence of submarines, mines
and torpedoes no longer can fight in
fleets Admiral Fletcher disagreed
and resorted to paper and pencil to
map out the operations of two hostile
fleets under the conditions set.
Seek Maximum Speed.
After Admiral Fletcher concluded
his testimony Rear Admirals Taylor,
chief OF the bureau OF construction,
and Griffin, chief OF steam engineer
ing, explained to the committee the
situation as to the two fleet subma-
rines authorized last year.
Secretary Daniels has submitted the
decision OF this problem to congress,
bids on the two big submersibles
authorized not having fallen within
the requirements of the act. Admiral
Taylor said one bidder would guar
antee a 10 knot surface speed. but not
the 20 knots specified In the act
pnth he and Admiral Griffin recon-