Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-25
The Danger Points

eu IN turretS would be added to the
batteries.
The Danger Points
With Norfolk defended at Fort Mon
, roe, Washington virtually over defend-
ed and Baltimore defended, they could
still come into Chesapeake bay and es-
tablish d base along that shore then
send an army in any direction"
Charleston. S. c.. and New Orleans
might be damaged by long-range fleet
fire, he said, ana 1:-inch guns with
high angle fire. giving them a range
beyond any guns af1oat or contem-
plated for navy ships. would answer
| the defense purposes at such points.
Atlantic City and Gloucester, Mass,
similarly might be victims of fleet fire,
he said, but their tCmbardment would
not injure the nations ability to con-
tinue the war and it is not proposed
to fortify them.
1T would be der,orable and very
unfortunate for he citizens" he add
ed, but it is imprarticable to defend
the whole coast against damage.
Certain points are selected for for
! tlflcations where the damage would be
so important as 20 affect the fighting
ability of the United States. They are
still not protected against damage
which could be dcnc by bodies of
troops landed and marched overland
to one of these cities
The theory is ,ha. we have plenty
of people and plenty Of resources to
take care of that condition if we will
use them. If We will not use them,
there is no way to take care Of it,
Admiral WinsIow
Admiral Winslow told the Naval
committee that gunnery on American
ships started on Tie down grade soon
. after it had been brought to its most
efficient point during President Roose-
Velts incumbency. Just lately,n he
added. the department began work.
ing out a new system of finding the
faults with our gunners. They are
finding them. In m: opinion, however,
if we had had a general staff. our eff
cheney would nevnr have gone down."
The admiral maintained that the
original plan under which the gem
eral board was created was intended
to lead to a general staff. That. he
said, was the vital need Of the navy;
all military functions should be I'M
der the direction OF professionally
trained naval officers. He declared
that no secretary Of the navy had ever
had. or possibly could have had, the
knowledge necessary to pass upon the
questions which he rrust decide under
the present system. II would take so
years, he believed. to bring the fleet
20 its possible standard of efficiency,
and in answer to Z question. he said
he did not believe tie navy now to be
even moderately efficient.
No Ships in Reserve
What was lacking. said the Admiral
was authority vested in board of
trained naval officers to coordinate all
the military work and keep the feet at
fighting pitch at all times. He believed
no ships should be placed in reserve
but that al! should be kept constantly
in commission and fully name d in or
der that sufficient men might be train
ed.
Asked what authority he would take
from the secretary and lodge in the
military side of the service absolutely
under the staff
IF it is a questio n Of mounting a
14-inch or a 16-ch gun" said the wit
ness, naval officers should decide that.
They are the men who will use those
guns
The navy war college. Admiral Wins
low said, was very valuable adjunct
and other nations had followed the Am
erican lead in establishing such insti-
buttons, We it had been nearly done
away with under several secretaries.
''The war college, he added. "is re-
ceiving better backing from Mr.. Daniels
than it has ever had"
Enactment Of laws to permit promo
ton by selection. as recommended by
the navy department also was urged by
the admiral Such a law was vitality
necessary, he said. in order to bring
young, vigorous men to flag command
where nerve, quick thinking and high
degree Of Skil1 uroro demanded to r,a1>o