New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-24
TELLS GREAT NEED
OF PACIFIC FLEET
Possible PerilS That Influenced
Navy Board To Be Revealed
in Executive Session.

1900 mea was greatly .educed wac
obtained to-day from Rear Admiral
Charles j. Badger, a member Of the
board. The officer. formerly COM
mander in chief OF the Atlantic feet.
was appearing before the House Naval
Affairs Committee.
..dmiral Badgers statement contra
di ted the statement OF Secretary Dan
iels TO the committee a month ago tina;
he had mo recolec elton" OF such re-
port having come 20 him from the Cen
eral Board. Admiral Badger was
somewhat hazy about the exact changes
made in the report.
Chairman padgett became annoyed
by the questioning of the officer along
hypothetical lines and declared ne
would shorten tn, hearings and sd-
iourn them il it were continued. His
remark WAS directed at Representative
Galloway. Of Texas, an anti-prepsred-
ness member
Admiral Badger said that ultimately
il was intended TO establish a modern
feet in the Pacific. without weakening
the Atlantic force at all. The fleet now
there. he said. in answer to questions
by Representative Stephens. of Califor-
MIA. was not sufficient for protection OF
the coast and would not be until 1t was
stronger than "any enemy which II
might encounter in the Pacific
Force on Pacific Coast.
"What ships arc there to-day on the
coast that could be used Immediately
for its defence ," asked Mr.. Stephens.
zone battleship, now obsolete
dozen cruisers, most of them mira
class; three submarines and hve de-
strovers." Admiral Badger said.
The admiral said that the State De
nartmcnt had not consulted the Generai
BOARD at all concerning American dip
lomatic relations. 49,,
international consideration, when
moved the Navy General Board TO
cbange it's time-honored policy last
year and declare that the United states
law should equal the strongest ahoaI
nv not later than 1925. will be disclosed
10 the committee tomorrow III eAeCu
tive session by Admiral Badger. Exam
nation Of the admiral in open session
vas ended to-day. He consistently re.
fused to discuss. except behind closed
doors. the boards views of dangers that
may confront the nation. ~,
The subject came up Wncn Ml.
Stephens asked il the board IN altering
its policy did rot have in mind inc pos
sibility that the country might nave 10
face simultaneously enemies III the IA
cifc and Atlantic oceans.
Admiral Badger said he could answer
that only in executive session ne
exniained. however. that fleet capa-
HE Of dominating the Pacific Ocean was
the only sure protection for the PACING
Coast. and said that the earth slides IN
tho Panama Canal had made Impossible
for the present. and possibly for an
other wear. the use of the feet IN either
ocean. Further discussion of the cana
closure also was deferred to the closed
session.
Wouldn't Change Britain's Policy.
Admiral Badger expressed the opin-
ion that should the United States adopt
TWO DOHtT SldUudlu nNN'
recommended by the General Board,
Great Britain would not alter her rate
Of construction, at least until the gap
between the two fleets had been mate
rally reduced. Earlier in his testimony
he had said Re did not consider war
with Great Britain even remote pos
sibility.
Replying to a question, the admiral
said that in framing the S2oo,OOO,Oo0
building programme II first proposed
the board had been going on the theory
that il was necessary TO get as many
big ships as possible added to the feet
in the shortest time the country's
building facilities would permit.
"Do you think we have the same rea-
son for desiring supremacy of the sea
that England has ;" Mr.. Galloway asked.
"Not at present. perhaps" the ad-
miral replied but eventually we
would have to reach out for our share
of world trade, and anybody who stood
in the way Of our getting fair deal
would have to be dealt with
Force and Diplomacy.
Admiral Badger repudiated sug,
gestion that military men viewed all
international problems from the stand,
point of force. while statesmen looked
upon force and diplomacy as equal
arms Of government.
ultimately, however he ;dded'
diplomacy depends on force. When
diplomacy fails it must'either abandon
its object or call on force
Admiral Badger refused TO give Tor
publication his opinion as to the 'ime
ii would require 10 get the united
States feet ready for action against
first class power. His attention was
called to a statement TO the committee
last year by Rear Admiral b. A: Fisk,
that il would take five years. He sad
he did not agree with that calculation,
but preferred 10 discuss the subject
later in executive session.
The Senate Military Committee to-
day virtually completed its preliminary
review Of the measure TO be drafted
for the regular army, agreement beng
reached upon its main feature.
The bill will provide for a peace
strength standing army of 10000 mer,
az against $4,000 proposed by the
House bill under consideration. The
war strength will be fixed at 225,0OO.
A seven-year enlistment, three with
the colors and four in the reserve, will
be expected 10 provide the men 10 hll
I'D the regiments for war service. IN
der this plan the soldier could be dis
charged into the reserve at the end of
a year, if found efficient, and can
optionally go into the reserve at the
=. l. Il