The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-22
FLEET NEEDS INCREASE.
WHAT THERE Jc OF 1T is FOUND
EFFICIENT.
Fletcher Reports Atlantic Squadron
Well Balanced and Good in Shoot.
ing--Iacks Scout Cruisers and Air.
craft-SOme Problems Met.

washington, Jan. 19.--Stripped of
Its military secrets. the annual re-
port Of Admiral Fletcher, COM
1nander-in-chief Of the Atlantic fleet,
was made public today by the senate.
1t says that on June 80 last the
fleet was better balanced and doing
better shooting than ever before in
its history. but lists Is specific recon-
mendations as to conditions which
should be remedied, ranging from
shortage Of men and lack of swift
scout cruisers and aircraft to elm
ination Of the compulsory feature Of
the navy's educational system.
With the admirars report was q
letter of transmittal from Secretary
Daniels stating that many OF the con-
ditions referred to already had been
remedied and that steps had been
taken to carry out other recon-
|mendations. The secretary also
pointed out that Admiral Fletcher
said most Of the weaknesses were of
long standing. and that he had omit
ted discussion OF 'the many excel
lent features Of the navy" in the In
terest Of brevity.
The report was sent to the SEN
ate in compliance with resolution
offered by Senator Lodge. but was
held to be confidential at the sena-
tors request. Today Chairman Till
man Of the naval committee asked
that the document be made public
az It had been censored by the navy
department Of military information
deemed wise to withhold. Senator
Lodge agreed.
The report said there are now in
the Atlantic feet 11s vessels of vari.
ous types manned by force Of more
than 27.oso men. I. 4,
| Referring to the summer ma.
noeuvres. the admiral states that '.all
lthe operations Of these manoeuvres
were successfully carried out with
the exception Of the movements Of
submarines. 80
One suggestion in the report which
attracted considerable attention said;
1T consider 1t important that the do,
partment investigate the possibility VI
providing grape shot or I. a ,simiiA,
torin Of ammunition for use Of tks
tufret suhs in rspelling destroyer u.
tACks.'s. :, 81
Admiral Fletcher dsvotes considgli n
! able space In his report ITO tai 3,
practice OF the 'iiset, saying that when
due allowance Ii made for yaryhs
conditions OF practice from year to
year. 1T is believed the scores are
higher than ever before made in open
sea-" It Is known that the spring
target practice Of the fleet will in
clude this year work at $4,000 yards
the maximum distance at which the
battle Of the North sea was Tough,
when the German armored cruiser
l oIuoCuor was SUNK.
Admiral Fletcher recommends that
the ten armored cruisers, now scat.
tered on various details. many Of
them on the Pacific coast, be assem-.
bled to operate with the fleet as q
unit.
The report discloses that several
ships OF the Connecticut class have
had repeated accidents to their shaft.
ing while running at speeds between
IL and Is knots. For this reason
they can not be operated with the
fleet at cruising speed. although fully
eficient at their maximum speed of
1S knots or more. Vibrating OF the
shafting Is assigned as the cause and
q special board has recommended in
creasing the strength Of the shafts.