Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-24
HEARING IN SECRET TO-DAY
Admiral Refuses to Discuss
Navy General Boards Views
of Threatening Danger with
Senate Committee Except Be-
hind Closed Doors.

Washington Feb. 23..--Intcrnational con-
sdcrat tons which moved the navy general
board to change its time honorcd policy
last year and declare that the United
States navy should equal the strongest
ailoat by not later than 1875, will be dis
closed to the House military committee
to morrow in executive session by Rear
Admiral Charles J. Badger. a member OF
the hoard Examination of Admiral Bad
ger in open session was concluded to-
day, the admiral consistently refusing TO
discuss except behind closed doors the
boards views OF dangers that may con-
front the nation.
Admiral Badger expressed the opinion
| that should the United States adopt "a
tWo-power standard navy, such as recon-
mended by the general board. Great Brit
ain would not alter her rate of construc-
tion. at least until the gap between the
two fleets had been materially reduced.
Earlier in his testimony he had said he
| did not consider war with Great Britain
even remote possibility.
| DO yo, think we have tho same rca e
son Cor desiring supremacy of the sca
that England has" Representative Call
away asked
! 'Not at present. perhaps" the admiral
| replied. but eventually We would have
to reach out for our shar. of world trade
and anybody VIII. stood In the way Of
our getting a fair deal would have tc be
| dealt with"
Representative Brittcn asked If the gen
eral board had not mado a recommenda
ton in 1914 which Secretary Daniels had
refused to make public u:lless its remarks
| as to personnel in the navy were stricken
out. Admiral Badger said:
81 think much more had been made
of that incident than is justified" He
explained that the board had made a
| general recommendation as to personnel
, amplihod with statistical tables to show
its effect When an ex-offico member o'
the board later suggested that the seCrc-
tary was disirirlined to publish the
statistical part OF the recommendation,
these had been stricken out There wa,
no suggestion. he added, Of an a:tcmp
by the secretary to force the board tc
alter its statements.
While the naval committee was gather
ing information, both the Senate anC
House military committee were struggling
with details Of the army part of the pre-
paredness program. The Senate com
mittee virtually completed its preliminary
review Of the measure 20 be drafted fol
the regular army, agreement being reach
ed on its main feature
The bill will provide for a peac,
strength standing army of 1900 men
as against l350O proposed by the Hous
bill under consideration. The wa
strength will lie fixed al 90 600, seven
year enlistment. three with the color
and four in the reserve, will he expected
to provide the men to fill up the regi
, ments for wa service. Under this pla,
the soldier could be discharged into tn
reserve at the end Of year if foun,
efficient and can optionally GO into th
reserve at tie end of two Years if h
=, desires.
n The Senate bill follows closely tn
= plan of 1912 devised by the army wa
= college after an exhaustive study. Dc
y tails OF organization suggested by tn
g department this year, however will b
q worked out in tho measure which is /
l. reality complete reorganization OF tn
| Ia Nd