New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-03
Navy's l4-Inch Cannon Vie
with Ordnance Abroad,
Admiral Strauss Says.
GUARDSMEN ASSAIL
CONTINENTAL ARMY
Withdrawing First Line Promise
VIII Disorganize Militia,
Committee Hears.

Washington. Feb. @ Members Of the
National Guard Association before the
House Military Committee o-day con
tnued 10 oppose vigorously any army
increase plan that would exclude the
state troops as soldiers Of the frat line
The House Naval Committee mean
time heard expert testimony ns 70
guns. torpedoes, mines and other ord
nance material from Rear Admiral
Strauss. chief Of ordnance.
Adjutant Generals Sadler OF New
Jersey and Dickson OF Illinois ana
General Critchheld, Of Ohio. testihen
that there was virtually no sentiment
among the guardsmen m favor OIL the
continental army plan. lhey con
tended that Congress had full power Z"
u.tionalize the militia under the Plan
and that defects Of the system when
had been pointed out b. regular arm!
officers could be cured.
Colonel Critchheld SAID That me ma
tional guard needed adequate compeh-
sation. greater authority and more YIN
pathetic administration or militia al
fairs by the War Department. zen
eral Dickson insisted that the states
should retain the right TO use the
miltiamen in peace times.
Colonel N. J. Foreman, commanding
The lst Illinois Cavalry, asserted that
II the continental army were organ,
ized interest in the national guard
would wane.
only the promise that we would os
in the Grst line in any war TO come,
he said, "has kept US true to the faitn'
Rear Admiral Strauss told the Naval
Committee that the latest fourteen
inch guns OF the navy. having range
of $4,000 yards az mounted, or fourteen
land miles. were the equal OF the
Hfteen-iuch weapons of foreign navies
because OF the greater muzzle velocity,
lie said that at target practice las'
wear three twelve-inch shells were
driven through heavy armor plating al
10000 yards.
decided. the rear admiral SAID, wnetner
Inc two new battieships asked Tor TINS
vear would carry ten siXteen-inch rlie
or twelve fourteen-inch. lie declared
me Hammond radio controlled torpedo
was not suitable for navy use.
Discussing submarine mines, Rear
Admiral Strauss said the General Board
had recommended an increase or o,uV,
over the number heretofore believed
necessary. The Norfolk Navy Yard Is
turning out these mines after the new
est English design, he said, AT a rate
Of ten day, which soon will be IN
creased 70 twenty
Turning to new devices which are
being worked out for the navy, Rear
Admiral Strauss said a system fo'
salvo FIRE of torpedoes from destroyerS
was TO be tried, which would enable q
DESTROYER 10 hurl a torpedo broadslde
at an enemy ship. The torpedo net
now being manufactured for the Okla,
homa. he said, could not be penetrate
bv a torpedo. even one EQUIPPED witn
A wire cutting device. He revealed also
that the department had devised sys-
tenn of an.hored entanglements Tor use
against submarines.
Acquisition Of more territory at ootn
The Atlantic and Pacific entrances OF
the Panama Canal was recommended b.
Brigadier General Edwards at con-
ference to-day with Acting Secretary
Brecklnridge The purpose would be to
increas, the canals military defences.