The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-28
NAVY STRENGTH
TO Be DIVIDED
IN TWO FORCES
Half Of Main Fighting Strength
to go to Pacific Eur
opean Squadron to be Re-
vived.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S.-With the
passing of German sea power, the i'm
polling strategic reason for keeping
the main strength of the American
navy massed in the Atlantic ocean no
longer exists. Naval officers here an
ticipate, therefore, that the fleet will
be divided. when the war emergency
has passed and substantially one-half
OF the main fighting strength of the
navy go into reorganized Pacific
fleet.
Secretary Daniels indicated today
that a general Encouragement of the
fighting ships was to be expected He
gave no inkling of what Is under con-
sideratiOn, however, his statement
having been brought out by questions
when he announced that Vice Admir-
al Sims, commanding American naval
forces in European waters, would be
nominated to the rank of admiral
when Admiral Knight, commanding
the Asiatic fleet, retires next month
Rear Admiral Gleaves, commanding
the conveying forces, will be named
by President Wilson for the vacant
vice admiraIs post thus created No
change in assignments will accom-
pany the promotions, which will be
made for merit.
There are indications about the de-
partment that plans are already afoot
for reviving the old European squad
ron. With the increased responsible
ties of the United States in Europe,
due to the war, and the expanding
merchant marine, it is regarded as
probable that a definite naval force
will be maintained in European water
hereafter, and it is possible that steps
may be taken toward establishing lin
tied base facilities for the upkeep Of
the force. The navy now has a sta
ton at the Azores, and officers be-
lieve an arrangement with the POrtu-
guese government, under which the
station will be continued for some
time at least, is to be expected.
international Policing.
In discussing the future of the fleet
officers realize that the creation of a
league of nations may produce new
considerations. AS the United States
as sponsor for the proposal Of the
world league, it is assumed that a
concrete plan of action has been
mapped out for President Wilson by
his military advisors. This would in
clude the proposal Of an organization
under which the combined fleets
would operate to police the world.
The most practical way Of arrang-
ing for an international police force
of the seas, many officers believe, is
to so provide that the locality of the
disturbance to be quelled govern the
composition of any international fleet
to be sent to the scene. That, also,
would obviate any difficulty as to Sc
lecting the officer to command.
Should the trouble arise in section
of the world where British interests
were dominant, it was suggested, the
major portion Of the naval forces to
be assembled would be British and
the commander British, with squad
rons Of the other naval powers at
tached to show the unity of purpose.
Where American interests were chief
ly involved the main fleet and COM
mander would be American.
This suggestion arose from the feel
ing among some officers that the idea
OF an international fleet under SUI
preme commander, and kept constant
ly modified for operations in any the
alter, is not practical, that nothing
definite was known as to the plans
which may have been evolved for car
rying into execution the league idea.