New-York tribune., 1920-05-26

Y o R X 7 II B U N e, "
overstep their powers in executing the
right Of search; disputes will arise
over the definition of contrabond, and
accusations of unneutral service Will
he brought against the United States
traders and foreigners doing business
Nndo the United States nag
"i0 serious possibility for the
United States connected with great
European war lies in the changes of
sovereignty in possessions on or ad-
iaccnt to the American continent that
may result from corresponding changes
in sovereignty on the continent of
ualities of such war Many indica-
tions exist that Germany desires n
foothold in American waters, and it is
we'll known that she does not concur in
the Monroe Doctrine. II Great Britain
is drawn into the war the German feet
will be neutralized as far rs any dnr-
ger from it to our interests in the inn
mediate future is concerned. If she is
not and if the end of the war should
find Germany stronger than ever in
her European position and will, her
feet practically unimpaircd, the
temptation will be great to seize the
opportunity for obtaining the position
she covets on this side of the ocean.
We should prepare now for the situa
tion which would thus be created
"AUSTIN M. KNIGHT"
After Senator Hale had read this
letter to Mr.. Daniels the Secretary ad
mittcd that he had recollection of such
q communication, but had given it no
attention, especially as the title of the
letter said it related to the withdrawal
At IL, A 80
letter was called for by the Senate in
resolution adopted April II, 1916. In
response to this resolution Secretary
Daniels replied that he had received
no such letter or any communication
touchin gon preparedness.
The Secretary explained to-day that
ne subsequently wrote to Admiral
Dewey asking if such communication
had been sent to the department. The
the general board had been called by
Admiral Fiskc. The questions dis
cussed were such as bore Immediately
upon the foreign policy Of the United
States, Admiral Dewey said. Secre-
tary Daniels said that he considered
this a confidential communication
which he had refused, therefore, to
send to the Senate.
Personal RcsentmentS Ruled
Secretary Daniels made it clear that
he had ignored the recommendation OF
the board because he regarded them
as emanating from Admiral I1skc,
whom he characterized rs a "momu
mental egotist Of shallow knowledge
Similar recommendation made by Ad-
miral Fiskc about this time met the
same fate for the same reason. Il was
brought out by Secretary Daniels that
he had no intention Of giving any con-
sideration to the warnings of naval
ofiic ials then occupying positions Of re-
spensibility in the rnval establishment
because he looked upon them as hostile
to him, resenting what he described as
efforts to "Prussianize' the navy.
"Do you consider that you were iusti-
fed" asked Senator Hale, "in telling
the Senate that you were unable to find
any such communication as they asked
for?"
81 condsider was justihed,' said
Mr. Daniels. "The meeting was called
al Newport by Admiral Fiske and
did not pay much attention to it. 1t
was not matter for the general board
to tell the commanderin chief what
to do with the ships in Mexico"
81 again ask vou.' persisted Senate
specific matter, were YOU justified in
telling Congress- that the communica-
tion which you had received did not
bear on that matter end Va5 con
tidontial ?'
"The title" Secretary Daniels said,
"told nc that the communication re-
lated to the Withdrawal of ships from
Mexico, and | do not think it bears
upon naval preparedness. resented
the action Of Adl~iral Fiske. without
consultation, going to Newport and
causing q letter to be written advising
the carrying out Of a policy. did not
see recommendation in the commune
cation, and the information | cave to
the Senate was based upon Admiral
DeWey's letter."
Secretary Daniels in his own defense
pointed to his requests to Congress for
appropriations as evidence that he was
taking all the necessary steps to place
the navy in a state Of preparedness.
Fist Thoughts Of War
ON 1Sl4," he SAID, 81 recommended
TO Congress an appropriation for that
year It was very difficult to get 80
large a sum as | asked for On he
sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 |
feared that America would be drawn
into the war, but ! was waiting for
Congress to take action. Two days
after the sinking of the Lusitania we
began to do great things. called
upon the general board to make re-
port on the increase of the navy to
make it the equal of the best Of the
world, and also how to use $500 600 600
in new construction"
>" hen did your advisers give you
...r,-