Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-07
SECRETARY OF NAVY BELIEVES
PROBLEM MAY BE SOLVED
BY AMERICA
MUST WITHHOLD THE FACTS
FROM PUBLIC At PRESENT
Regret Expressed That Announcement
of Solution Was Given OLt-Mueh
Experimental Work Made and Ad-
vaneements Accomplished = Ships
Made Safer by Modern Methods.

washington, May t--AdN1ceS from
| the navy consulting board concerning
progress towards finding solution fol
| the submarine menace, referred to In
New York by Chairman w. L. Saun-
| ders of the board. have not reached
the navy department but are expected
today.
Secretary Daniels said that while no
information would be made public as
TO the nature of experiments he was
satisfied that American ingenuity
eventually would check the undersea
boats. Mr.. Daniels spoke however,
without knowledge of the specific de-
vices with which the me mbers of the
consulting board have been expert
mehting.
A telegram from Lawrence Addicks
of Elizabeth, y. j.. chairman of the
special naval problems committee Of
the consulting board served to clear
UP misrepresentation concerning Mr..
saunders statements yesterday.
Statement by Chairman.
I fear some of the statements in
the papers regarding the naval con-
sulting board" the message said, may
unwittingiy give wrong impressions
regarding progress made in combating
the submarine menace and that con-
illusions are likely TO be drawn thu
the problem has heen either fully
solved or given up as hopeless.
While II is evident that specific in
formation would be contrary to public
policy. | feel justified in saving that
good and satisfactory progress has
been made and that we have now I'M
der practical trial a device of great
promise.
This committee was formed at the
time Of the break with Germany 10
take over all problems relating to the
detection and destruction Of subma-
r!nes and the defeat of the torpedo.
and has under its direction the various
experimental stations devoted to this
work. In addition to this. Mr. Edison
Is separately conducting a line of ex-
periments In his own laboratory, re-
gsrding the results OF which | am NOS
qualified to speak"
Daniels 10 Confident.
Mr.. Addicks statement confirms the
understanding officials OF the depart
msnt have had of the progress being
made by the inventors. Every precau-
ton has been taken by the department
to prevent any knowledge OF the ma
ture Of the experiments from becoming
public.
l have great faith that American
ingenuity will find means Of combat
ing the submarines Secretary Daniels
said last night. "altho have in mind
no special device aiming the hundreds
which have been proposed to US to fight
the menace. I truly believe something
viii be developed that VIII be effective
against the. underwater boats.
Experts of the naval consulting
board and OF the navy department are
experimenting with the devices which
may Ngo a long way toward giving us
victory. Some probably have merit. and
others not, but all are being given fair
tests. The precise nature OF any cam
not be disclosed, OF course
Ships Made Safer.
The department itself has done much
experimental work both with devices
for the destruction or detection of sub
marines and also with interior defense
for warships against torpedoes and
mines. American ships OF recent de-
sign are complete departure in>some
respects from anything affoat, so far as
known, and 1t has been said confidently
by high navy officials that 1t would
take at least three torpe6oes TO sink a
battleship constructed according to the