New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-23
His Preparedness Called
Iusincere and Political at
Society's Luncheon.
DANIELS NAVY PLAN
A FAKE, SAYS EXPERT
Designed to ,Whitewash Demo-
Gratis, Reuterdahl Cries-Paci-
fists Classified as Parasites.

The inefficiency OF Josephus Daniels
as Secretary Of the Navy and the in
sincerity Of President Wilson in his
preparedness policy were the topics 10
which speeches seemed to run at the
luncheon Of the American Defence 80
ciety yesterday in the Biltmore' Inc
luncheon was the main event IN the
society's convention to consider UNI
versal military service and the imme-
date need of Congressional action for
national defence.
Just as much as the names OF wilson
and Daniels were mentioned 20 De
kicked about in scorn, the name OF
Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske was
mentioned to be praised. Admira'
Fiske was invited to address tle so
ciety. but in obedience to the wilson
Daniels muzzling policy had to decline
81 do not know of man in the SCI
vice as well qualified to tell the coun-
try what the service needs as Admira-
Fiske," said Representative Fred A.
Britten. Of the House Committee on
Naval Affairs. I'VE taxpayers have
maid $4,000 to educate him, and when
a Secretary of the Navy applies the
muzzle or the gag and tells nm ne
can't tell the country about the navy
needs ! would like 10 know from wnom
We are TO get the truth.
Wilson Not Sincere
eve have the same trouble every
officers coming before our com
mittee and answering evasively. Ad-
miral Fiske told us he couldn't even
tell us two and two made four. Now,
isn't that a disgraceful state OF afairs
And isn't it perfectly natural that our
Secretary will be referred to as po-
litical Naval Secretary?
81 tried to take President wilson
very seriously. If the President Is
really sincere in his desire to crystalline
public sentiment for adequate prepar-
edness and 10 make votes for II on the
floor of the House, let him go down
among his own people in the South.
He goes 20 Illinois and TO Wisconsin
and other Northern states, where
everybody is for preparedness, crys-
sentiment where there Is no
need of crystallizing IT,
Have YOU heard of one reconmen-
dation coming from him. from me Tor
mer Secretary, Garrison, from Necre-
tarv JoseDhus Daniels? Not a single
OF course, II the
President wanted JOY ride, coupled
with practical up-to-date politics, his
trip must have been complete sue
cess. The truth is we have the Presi-
dent playing politics on the one hand
for n big navy because of this emer-
gency, and on the other hand We have
the Secretary slashing estimates on
the quiet. Those slashes are being
dragged out one by one in the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs"
Henry Reuterdahl, the naval artist,
blamed the President for gagging naval
experts. Then he denounced Daniels
for his own faults.
Pacilists Called Parasites.
1.-THE American navy is without policy
and maximum efficiency" he said.
"The landlubber. the patronage mong-
ers have full control. The navy Is to
fight, but the seagoing fighter Is second
fiddle. When the opinions OF the prime
seamen clash with the whims of the
landlubber the sailors resign; their
self-respect demands IT.
Because Of ignorance, Congress, the
press and the country at large have
approved Daniels's five-year pro
gramme Of navy increase, instead OF
Shooting it full Of holes. 1t Is fake
Where will we stand when the pro-
eramme is completed? No one knows
Il is formulated wholly 10 whitewash
the Democratic party. 1t is a sham and
insult to the intelligence of the Amert
can public. :,
THE efficiency Of the navy reached