New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-09
Still Snug and Complacent

,ror If grotesQue smugneSS and conpia-
cencv. II tells with JUNCTION the story OF
a wear of naval expansion without par
allel in our history. The casual reaoer
would gather the impression that the mar
rator was himself one of the prime factors
in this unexampled development. one VINO
had not read Mr.. Danelss reports OF 1914
and 1915 and had not studied his record
as a persistent obstructiOnist IN naval ad-
might fail entirely to COM
nrehend the exquisite irony Of the Secre-
tarv's self-congratulatory outgivings. Yet
as those know best who are most IA
miljar with the circumstances OF the
navv's great expansion in the last twelve
buzzings of Mr.. Daniels sim
ply duplicate the buzzings Of the Fly on
the inner tire Of the cart wheel VINO
thought that he was furnishing the power
which moved the cart.
Here are two characteristic passages
which exhibit Mr.. Daniels's unconscious
humor at its best;
In presenting this annual report
which shows what is admitted not only
BY the most exacting critics in our own
country but by all of the naval experts
abroad-the greatest year Of progress IN
ships. mattriel and organization that
the United States Navy has ever known
i feel it my duty TO warn as solemnly
as l NAV against the danger that lies IN
a possible feeling on the part OF our
people that the navy has now been at
tended to. has been placed where 1t be-
longs among the navies Of the world
and that there is nothing further to be
done.
"Complacent retrospectiOn Of past
achievement is the father Of dry rot
We have made a magnificent beginning,
but it must not be forgotten by the pub
lie that the same intelligent apprecia-
ton of our needs, the same willingness
TO provide for those needs, must be
shown by the people as represented IN
Congress this year and the year to come,
and the year after that, and, In fact,
every succeeding year, if we are 70
finish what we have commenced"
How ludicrous is all this mock concern
about the falling off Of public interest in
the development of the navy! 1t was pub
lie opinion, and public opinion alone,
which compelled the vast enlargement
of the navy authorized at the last ses-
sion of Congress. The public and Con-
gress forced Mr.. Danielss hand. Public
criticism coerced the Secretary into giving
out the suppressed report Of the General
Board of the Navy outlining an adequate
building programme. The public's demand
Tor a vast increase Of the fleet encouraged
Congress TO discard the Secretary's own
fve-vear construction programme and TO
spread over three years the work which
be purposed spreading over five. 1t en-
couraged Congress 70 disregard Mr.. Dan
iels's plans for increases in the personnel
and to make much larger increases.
The great expansion Of the navy in
1916 was due in no sense TO the Secre-
tary's efforts 1t was accomplished in
spite Of his opposition. Congress has al
WAYS been willing TO do much more for
the navy than he has been willing to do.
1t was intelligent leadership in the upper
branch Of Congress, backed by popular
sentiment, which made all the admirable
legislation Of 1916 possible.
Yet Mr.. Daniels now swells his chest
and admonishes Congress and the people
not to slacken in their zeal for naval pre-
paredness. How quickly has he forgot
ten the scandal Of his pigeon-holing Rear
Admiral Fiske's prophetic report on the
menacing conditions created by the out
break Of the European war; How readily
he ignores his own happy go-lucky policy
Of 1914 and 1915, even up TO the time when
President Wilson suddenly became con-
vert 20 naval preparation and told an au-
aience in ST. Louis that the United States
ought TO have 'incomparably the greatest
navy in the world"
This Mr.. Daniels who is now prodding
the American public not 10 forget that
there is work still TO be done on the navy
is the same Mr.. Daniels who wanted TO
take FIVE years to get under conStruc-
ton the ships on which Congress ordered
construction 70 be begun within three
years. He is the same person who ad-
vised Congress not 10 increase the enlisted
force of the navy beyond 62,991 men, Con-
gress thereupon disregarding his recon-
nendation and increasing the enlisted
force 10 74,700. He is the man who has
successfully opposed for years the crea-
ton Of General Staff Of the Nayy-the
establishment Of centralized military
control which is absolutely indispensable
II the feet is TO be brought 10 a proper
level Of military efficiency.
The present report shows, moreover,
that the Secretary is again at his old
tricks. The General Board Of the Navy
has recommended including IN the con-
d, r,,c.;op ,,roorap,r,o ~ 1QfT-lS siXty- two