Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-25
ENTIRE PACIFIC FLEET
IS WHOLLY INADEQUATE
Might Bc Easy Victim, for One Good
Enemy Battlesl,ip, Declares
Its Commander.
PLANS TO MEET EMERGENCY
Admiral WinslUw, Before Naval Com
mittec, Refuses to Reveal Conf
dental Matters of Stratcgy-Cro-
Zier Discusses Coast Defense.

WASHINGTON. February oi.--Whilo
tho iiousc Military Committee was
taking steps to-day toward getting its
phi for increasing the regular army
ana fcdcralizing tho National Qua ri
before tho House Within ton days. tho
Naval Committee was being Informed
by Admiral Cameron McR. Winslow
that the entire Pacific Fleet might be
AN easy victim for ono good enemy
hattlcship.
Admiral winslow said the force un-
der his command was wholly made
puate. even with All it's reserves called
out TO meet any probable enemy IN the
Pacific. Navy Department plans for
meeting an emergency there or in the
Atlantic. however. he said. were con-
id"ntial matters OF strategy.
Testimony of BriRadcr -Gcneral Will
liam G. Crozicr, chief OF army ordnance.
before the Publications Committee OBJ.
taincd to-day. revealed that tho War
Department plans for coast defense con
template placing the heaviest new
for'ihca'ions at tho mouth OF Chcsa-
peakc Bay. which he described az ono
OF tho several places where facilities
for land operations are so good that 1t
Is worth while TO especially fortify
them to prevent that operation" At
other points. such as Rockaway Beach,
y. !. and san Francisco. he said six
tecn-inch guns mounted in turrcts
would be added TO the batteries
FEW SUCH POINTS
As CHESAPEAKE BAY
OF Chesapeake Bay. the general
added:
We have Norfolk defended a. Fort
Monroe. Washington very much over
defended and Baltimore defended. But
they could come into Chesapeake Bay
and establish base along that shore.
then send an army in any direction.
There arc few such points as that"
Charleston. s. C.. and New Orleans
might be damaged by lonE-range feet
fire. he said. and twclvc-,nch guns with
high angle IRE. giving them a range
beyond any guns ahoat or contemplate cd
for navy ships, would answer the de-
tense purposes a. such points.
Admiral WINSTON told the Naval
Committee that gunnery on American
ships started on the down grade soon
after Il had been brough, to it's mos,
efficient point during Presiden, Roosc-
vclt's incumbcncy.
Just lately" he added. the depart
nIert began working out new system
OF finding faults with our gunncry.
They arc finding them In my opinion,
however. IL VIC had general staff. our
efficiency would never have gone down
He declared that no Secretary Of the
Navy had ever had. or possibly could
have had the knowledge necessary TO
pass upon the questions which we must
decide under the present system j;
would take fft% years. he believed, TO
bring the nect 10 It's possible standard
of efficiency, and. in answer to qucs-
tion. he said he did no, believe the navy
now 20 hc even moderately efficient.
TO KEEP FLEET ALWAYS
At FIGHTING FITCH
Wha, was lacking. said the admiral.
WAS authority vested In n board o.
trained naval officers 10 ordinate
all tho military work and Keep the fleet
~ lighting pitch at all times. He be-
leVcd all ships should hc KEEP, con-
stantly in commission and fully manned
in order that sufficient men might be
trained
Asked what authority he would take
from the secretary and lodge In the
staff. he said he would have tho entire
military side OF the service absolutely
under the staff.
The Navy War College Admiral
Winslow said, was very valuable adj
junct. and other nations had followed
the American lead in esta blishinG such
institutions. yet q had been nearly
done away with under several secre-
tarics.
The War College" he added. lis re-
ceiving better backing from Mr.. Daniels
than II has ever had"
Enactment OF laws 20 permit promo :
ton by selection. as recommended by
the Navy Department, also was urged
by tho admiral.
Admiral Badger told the committee
the navy would need lo2,Slb men to
man the feet which will be in COM
mission in l917