The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-08-18
OUR NAVY.

sured, we have time to examine some of the
wild statements anent our fleet
The honest criticism that our fleet could
be made better-as the new bill will make
it better, because bigger-degenerated
into campaign propaganda by the Repub-
leans of most insidious sort, for I'M
thinking Democrats thought they were
serving the cause of preparedness by using
the arguments put in their mouths by
political tricksters. When one is boosting
for preparedness, he is not apt to see the
difference between saying "Our navy needs
improving and "Our navy is in worse
shape than it ever was"
If there were no other navy in the world
bigger-and better-than ours, there would
be no reason for making our vast appro-
priations-four battleships at once. and
six more within three years; four battle
cruisers at once, and two more within three
years; four scout cruisers, and six more to
come; more aeroplanes; fuel ships, ammu-
milton ships, hospital ships, repair ships,
transports, gunboats and tenders; sixty
seven submarines; fifty destroyers; 10000
men more!
But to say that our fleet is run down,
that it is inefficient (what there is of it) is
the most arrant falsehood, and the fact
that such propaganda is being used simply
shows how desperate the Republicans are
for material
It may be true that the fleet efficiency
did retrograde little in 1909 owing to the
discontinuance of elementary practice, but
1t has pulled up since, and under a Demo-
cratic president was corrected the fault in
herited from the Republicans.
Admiral Fletcher, reporting on the 1915
target practice, said: ct is believed that
the scores recorded are higher than ever
before in the open sea-"
Admiral Dewey, head of the general
board, said:
The recent practices were held at ranges of 49,
QUO, 1900 and $4,000 yards which are even long
CURED in the European war About ten ont Of
Twenty shots would have hit enemy ship at 49,
oou YARDS DO you know" the admiral added al
most confidentially, 81 believe our boys are the
best gunners in the world"
And read the following tribute to the
American navy, written by Hector Bv-
water famous British naval expert, for a
British journal:
It need hardy be said that the political head
Of rne United States Navy possesses infinitely
Brltah. And there is every indication that Mr.
gi mas been using his power to the utmost.
MS friends say he has accomplished wonders: his
enemies, who are very many, declare that his per
sonar lads and prejudices have undermined the
morale OF the naval personnel and made the serv-
Ice laughing-stock. But this charge is NOT borno
out by the evidence. Those best qualified tn sneaIr
assert that the last four years have witnessed a
remarkable all-around improvement in the ona1it+
OF the personnel. Thanks to the secretarv's dras
uc order shortly after he came into office intenon
erance has disappeared from the navv and al
though the drink prohibition excited ridcule and
bitter opposition at the start, the majority of ma
val OFFICERS now agree that it has had a most
Deneflclal effect on efficiency and discipline
THE American bluejacket of the present ds1
Is d most admirable type, and a positive reveIa-
ton to any who knew the old-timer of ten or
tnteen years ago. He is fed berthed and cared
Tor IN way that astonishes those who are a.
qualnted with the best European standards Fx
Lraorolnary pains are taken with his professional
ana general education. The amount of head work
ne is called upon to get through NAV seem exag
gerated and unnecessary to European critics hit
the result certainly appears to Justify tbo s ~
tenn" ' NS s'S
Such authoritative statements will down
even the blacklist SANDER; but they do not
show the amazing achievement of our navy
OF the past few years; the installation of
ant1-a1rcraft guns; utilizing the discarded
navy yard at Pensacola as an aeronautic
School; recognizing the radio service.
wireless telephony; creation of a definite
DIVISION OF mining and mine sweepino-. in
crease OF powder output from 3.OOO00 TO
o'OoO,UOO pounds year; electric propulsion
on three new battleships unprecedented in
crease IN the nayy's stores of ammunition:
developing the study of strategy-and so
on, and so on, and so on.
There is no Generalization: there is no
lack OF discipline; there is no lack of
enthusiasm. The navy is thorough1v
Observation-Disclosures in ideals American