New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-27
Would Have to Weaken
Fighting Personnel to
Provide GunnerS
EXPERTS REQUIRED
TO REBEL U-BOATS
Status of Armed Craft, in
Relation to WarshipS,
Not Determined

Washington. Feb. 26.-Guns and
mounts sufficient to arm any reason
able number Of American merchant
ships are now stored at navy yards, II
was stated officially at the Navy De-
partment to-day, following President
Wilson's appearance before Congress.
Efficient gunners are lacking, however
unless they are taken from active shlPs,
which can i'll spare them.
Naval officers pointed out tnat men
of special skill, trained 70 the minute
would be required as gun pointers Tor
anti-submarine work. At best I
boat is difficult 20 nit, as there is little
exposed. often periscope, hardly Wis
ible at more than few thousand yards'
is the gunner's only target.
Recent figures show that 25O ships
under American registry are engaged
in transatlantic trade, but it IS estl-
mated that not more than 100 would
amply for guns and take the FISK OF
crossing the German submarine zones.
There will be no difficulty in furnish
inc that number Of vessels with weap-
ons, but supplying trained gun point
ers for 100 guns would take just that
many valuable men away from fighting
ships.
Few Gun Pointers in Reserve
There are about 1000 men in the
feet reserve, of whom approximately
100 were trained gun pointers when
they left the active list. Most OF
them are older men, however, and none
has had any recent practice IN gun
pointing. II is said that no sufficiently
EXPERT pointers for work on merchant
craft could be obtained from that
source. although some ammunition
handlers and other members Of gun
crews might be obtained. OF the 1000
reservists about one-half have been
drilled in gun handling other than
pointing.
Navy officials construe the Presi-
dents language as asking for authority
wide enough to take any measures to
defend American ships. That might
include naval conveys, but the opinion
of naval experts is against such a step
because 1t could not insure the con
voyed ships against submarine attack
and also because the efficiency Of the
fleet as a fighting machine would be
seriously impaired If its units were
scattered for convoy duty.
The available guns range up 10 g.
inch calibrc. Most OF them are ole
models, but have ample range and
power for the work desired. Range anC
rapidly Of fire are vital factors IN
anti-submarinc operations.
5,Ooo-Yard Sight Required
IL is important that the underwater
craft be assailed before she gets into
good torpedo range. The majority OF
cases reported show this to be 500
yards or less, and the skill of the gun
ners should be sufficient TO make il
dangerous for U-boat 10 show herself
at 5000 yards.
Navy officials were not inclined Il
discuss the change in the status OF
merchant ships which might result
from placing navy crew aboard
Whether the gun crews would bC
placed under TIE orders of merchant
captains or whether naval officer;
would command the guns and determine
when and how they should be used was
not made known.
The naval militia, more than 1900
strong. could rot be drawn upon foi
gunners because of its militia status
The terms under which the men could
be called out for active service are linn
tied by the Constitution to suppression
of instruction, repelling invasion anC
Enforcing the laws.