New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-02

One of the highest naval authorities
declared yesterday that if war were
declared with Germany the United
States Navy would be unable to cope
with submarines that Germany could
send across the Atlantic. A blockade
of the Eastern ports more egective than
that Great Britain has established
about Germany would be entirely pos
sible. he said.
Small Vessels the Nays Need
The weakness Of the United states
Navy with respect to dreadnoughts ana
battlc-cruiscrs would not prove the
greatest handicap to this country IN
the carly stages Of a war. according
to the authority quoted. Inc snort
comings Of the navy that would cos1
the country dearest would be the iaS"
of a sufficient number of small vessels
such as torpedo boats, torpedo Doat
destroyers and similar craft.
Only with vast number OF these
little warshps, he declares, could
submarine blockade be effectively com,
bated. Lacking them. the United
States would face critical situation.
It's ShlpplnG WOUlu DC ilNtihiiJ "N N''
mercy OF the U-boats. .,
The so-called mosquito fleet" o.
privately owned motor boats might,
perhaps. be of some use in trapping
submarines with the aid OF nets, but
in general the defences OF the Unitec
States against submarine blockade
arc so negligible as TO leave the coun-
try practically helpless, in the view OF
this naval expert.
British Fleet Protection
The most effective protection the
United States has to guard 1t from the
great dreadnoughts and battle-cruisers
Of the German navy, in case OF war, is
not the American navy. but the British
navy. according to the authority in
question. As long as the fleets OF
Great Britain arc indicated there is
no chance of the big German warshlps
crossing the ocean to assail our shores.
But if the Wanted British naval power
should fail in great sea engagement
or series of them the German fleets
would be free to engage the American
navy-and with good chance Of sue
cess.
at is entirely within the bounds Of
possibility for the British navy TO be
defeated" declared the naval expert.
"You may call it, if you like. remote
chance. But, in the opinion of naval
men, it might happen. And, If the Ger
mans were able to defeat the British
navy, they would make short work OF
our fleets. That would be their next
step. And, once our battleships were
disposed of, our entire coast would be
at their mercy"
In the opinion of this expert Japan,
in spite of her connection with the
Entente Allies. would be eager for
favorable opportunity TO attack the
United States on the Pacific Coast.
Sees Danger from Japan
There are 99.9 chances out of 100
that Japan would attack us if the Ger
mans succeeded in Gripping this coun-
try to any great extent" he said. our
Pacific Coast would be absolutely un.
protected. An enemy could lombard
cities, stop all shipping and even land
an invading force, if he chose"
And what could the United States do
to Germany in the event of war The
answer, according to this authority, is
nothing. Not an effective naval blow
could be struck at the Kaiser. II would
be useless to send the American feet
abroad to cooperate with Great Brit
aims navy. in his opinion.
What the British navy needs is
small craft of the torpedo-boat destroy
er type" he said. "That is just the
type Of vessel OF which the American