The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-14
.. s. SALVATION In
AIR, SAYS PROF. BELL
Only Pumps Kept Fleet Up In
Taft Review, Roosevelt
Tells League.
URGE NEED or DEFENCE

wAsuiSGroN. April 10 dcclara-
tfon by PROT. Alexander Graham He'll
that ''both sea and land power soon
will be secondary to air power" and the
adcption of "A resolution urging an "fm-
mediate enlargement Of the american
navy. both ~ ships and personnel. to
meet the present necessities we're the
,mpcrtan, features Of the closing session
here to-day of the eleventh annual con-
vention OF the Navy League OF the
United States.
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy
Roosevelt, acknowledged that tn. Amer
lean navy j. not an efficient lighting
machine, but declared that this weak
pess va, due to deficiencies Of the
mast and that when hc entered the
Department three years ago TIE snort
ness In material and men mad become
en- alarming danger
Referring to some Of the weaknesses
IN the past. Mr.. RocSevelt declared that
IN 1912, when President Taft reviewed
the ~so-calle.i great mobilization IN
New York harbor. ~ surprisingly large
number OF tie ships th"rc present we're
in bad physical condition; some had
actually to he lowed TO their anchor
eges: Others were kept afloat by working
the pumps dav and night. A great
rumber of them he continued. were
short Of officers aud mon. and u WAS
only by the use of The naval militia ana
tv the authorization, under doubtful le.
raiity. OF short term e~nlistnents. that
Inc quota wa as large AS II was"
Mr.. Roosevelt stated further that a.
the tine the feet went around the world
II WAS necessary ito strip many other
vessels Of their officers and men: 10
borrow here. there and the other place
from shore stations and other shore "a
signments. with the result that while
the main fleet YES in full commission
tho naval establishment an a whole wa
seriously weakened"
"what ] want especially to ernpha-
aise,' he went, on, rs that every naval
officer has during the past known what
war would mean. The need for pre-.
p~aredness has existed In the past just
as Il does to-day. At last ! believe the
people Of the country are going to ac'
cept the Judgment Of the men who knew
Of the men VINO are paid by the people
to know"
He thought, however. the 't,ine TOT
knocking had r. Q by and that the time
for boosting had come" lie expressed
IN VpllAOl lin tho BNctfs ~ ~
ready ITO accept the judgment Of the
men who know. OF the men h are
paid to know
In Van for Afr Control.
As to the coming superiority OF air
CRAFT for purposes Of aggression. Nj
Bell declared that the United states hat
a great advantage In this re.. ect anc
that 1--WE will have 4 good chance o.
being the nation that will ul'!matel!
control the tir."
He based this hope for America OF
the fact tina, aviation Is a purel!
American art" Langley. the Wrighl
brothers and others who did the srca'
pioneer work having been citizens o.
This country.
The ~aeropiane Is more important al
a lighting machine that the Zeppelin. II
the opinion expressed by pr. Bell anc
the use Of heavier than air machines vii
be this country's greatest protection. u
times Of peace the feet Of airships shoult
be used. he said, for carrying mails
and this would train hundreds OF nicre
Need Of Aerial Fleet.
Or. Bell, In arguing the need OF
strong aerial fleet for the United States
said that an attacking aerial fleet coule
be overcome only by a superior force
Of similar character. He said II a hos
tile fleet approached these shores aero
planes could he lowering over the ma
tional capital In a few hours. and ne!the'
. navy nor an army could prevent TILL
bomb dropping from the sky.
The resolutions adopted to-day. afte'
referring to 'the peril OF the presen
situation" declare that In our opinion
the navy r. entirely inadequate II
strength, o only In ships and personne
but In many other essentials, TO properl!
defend US against aggression. and thil
unhappy condition will continue until W.
adopt some well considered and endur
Ing policy"