New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-09
U. S. Prepared for "Emer-
gency" in Pacific, Says
Admiral.
CONGRESS ADVANCES
DEFENCE MEASURES
Government ArmOr Plate Bill
RepOrted-General Miles
Belittles InvasiOns.

progress to-day on national prepared
ness measures. The Senate Military
Committee closed It's hearings on the
army bills. The Senate Naval Commit
tee reported favorsbly bill for a gov
eminent armor plate factory and
recommended immediate passage Of
two emergency navy measures which
passed the House yesterday.
On the House side of the Capitol the
Naval Committee virtually concluded
it's examination Of Rear Admiral Blue,
chief OF the Bureau of Navigation,
while the Military Committee received
the proposals Of the American Red
Cross for greater government aid In
Red Cross preparedness plans.
During the day the Military commit
tees of both houses heard delegations
Of pacifists, who argued against any
army or navy increases.
The most striking statement brought
out at any of the hearings was that OF
Admiral Blue, who declared the Amerl-
can navy now was ready 20 meet any
enemy II might be called upon 20 en-
counter in the Pacific. He declined TO
say what steps had been taken IN the
last year and half toward preparing
the navy against emergencies, holding
these TO be military secrets.
VIII Not Reveal Navy Secrets.
Chairman Padgett supported Admiral
Blue in his determination not TO reveal
departmental secrets, overrulIng Repre-
sentative Britten's attempt to lind out
as he expressed 1t, whether the navy
is now ready to fight" Mr.. Britten as
serted that the General Board had
warned the department year ago that
IL should prepare, and he wanted TO
know Just what steps had been taken.
To-day's examination of Admiral
Blue disclosed the source of the state
ments contained in Admiral Fletchers
last annual report that the Atlantic
feet was short 5000 men Of It's proper
complement. Various boards OF fleet
officers determined upon the number
of men thought necessary for vessels
Of each type year ago, Admiral Blue
said. and these greatly increa\sd the
number for each ship. Admiral
Fletcher based his statement on tA.se
figures. he added and the shortage
under authorized compliments was less
than 1000, which had since been rem
edied.
Chairman Padgett announced that
the whole subject Of the proper num-
Der Of men for any ship was matter
Of such difference among officers that
Secretary Daniels had directed board,
headed by Rear Admiral Mayo, 20
standardize battle stations on all fight
ing craft as means Of getting an
authoritative basis for estimates. Adj
miral Blue explained that peace COM
Elements were fixed under definite
rule, which provided. among other
things. for men enough to man all the
big guns and one-helf the secondary
battery of ship. He refused to give
details Of the plan except contidentially.
Representative Galloway brought out
statements that should the proposed
fve-year building programme be APP
proved, $4,000 additional men and
10000 additional officers would be
necessary within eight years. As It I.
now, Admiral Blue said the navy will
need $1,000 men by 1919 20 man ships
already authorized, and should have
10000 reserves 10 provide against
casualties. He thought the depart
ment's plans would produce that num-
Der Of reserves In two or three years,
if approved by Congress through
amendments 70 the naval reserve act.
There are from $4,000 to 10000 fully
trained men now in civil life. he added,
many of whom It is hoped 20 enlist In
the reserve.
Reserve System a Failure.
Only 800 men have been brought into
the naval reserve at present, said Ad-
miral Blue. Secretary Danielsshe said,
had proposed amendments to the re.
serve act which II was hoped would
build up the force.
While the naval reserve law had been
Disappointing in producing numbers.
Admiral Blue, said, ii had brought a
greater percentage Of reenlistments,
giving the navy a large proportion OF
trained men on its ships. Men should
be permitted, he thought, TO give from
sixteen to twenty years TO navy service
If they could be induced TO do so.