South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-15

civilian faith that agencies ought given
chance demonstrate their value decreed separate
admiral
But Of US even then sensed the tremendous the
almost decisive part the submarine was 70 play the
war just ahead Of US. We did not know what Ger
many had up her sleeve Our foresight catch
vision Of great undersea ships able to cruise
distances crossing the and sinking vessels in sight
OF the American coast Because of this failure
until the far advanced that the necessary
defensive against the U-boat was developed As the
submarine the creation OF American brains. the
antidote to it conceived in America.
Now, however the argument to the continuing
value OF the dreadnaught may end. there be no
doubt that in the next war-if there should be next
war-the submarine will play important role. 1t
will be bigger and more powerful and capable Of dis
charging more rorpedoes. But it will again be
the surprise to unprepared world which it was in
this war
Probably the foremost and most able contender that
the day of the dreadnaught is at end Admiral
Fisher former first lord of Great Britain, who
for building the first great "alI-big-gun'
shin and who was the innovator behind many import
ant developments in the British navy
"SCRAPPED ALL THE DREADNAUGHTS."
Shortly before his death-whch occurred only few
months ago-Lord Fisher, who had retired from active
service told the British public as much of the
world listen that the submarine had scrap
ped all the dreadnaughts. just the dreadnaughts
drove all prior warcraft into the naval discard.
Sir Percy Scott and other retired officers in Great
Britain and America agree with the Fisher.
Gen Mitchel-or "AdmraT'-an army officer who
says qualify a expert has advised congress
spend all the at its disposal big fghtships
of the air.
But no responsible naval officers charged with
tanning naval efficiency, have shared these extreme
views
An important question which answered be
fore there can settlement OF dispute
the probable effectiveness of the arship attack
upon a dreadnaught? What chance has a dreadnaught
o being by bombs dropped from above? on this
point yet we have no reliable data.
FAIL TO SINK BATTLEsHIP.
Last year the navy tried some experiments in order
the effect of bombs a battleship. used
the Indiana, antiquated craft without value except
for such demonstration purpose. Bombs
dropped upon her from arpane. They loaded
with heavy explosives and they did, in cases.
pretty serious damage But they did not sink her She
took the punishment and remained float until other
bombs. placed under the water. exploded with such
force that several in the ships bottom rip
ped loose.
This however. was no test of what would actually
happen in fight between airplane and dread
aircraft She made neither an attempt TO escape
the fire her attackers. She merely
there while avators crcled above her and practiced
dropping bombs her at their leisure
In actual warfare the dreadnaught would be steam
ing full spead, with probably a zig-zag She
would be turning anti-aircraft guns attacking
plane II is open to question whether the bomb drop
pers would make many hits-or any. Even in the
of the stationary and non-resisng Indiana the
percentage of hits small
RESULT MAY STARTLING.
1t is this point of what would happen in actual
fare be tried Hampton roads sometime
before next July. may prove be epoch making
and Hampton roads may establish certain facts
which Will revoutionize naval warfare the fight OF
the Monitor and the Merrmac that same stretch OF
water revolutionized it in 1862.
One of my last acts secretary of the navy to
that certain of the German ships which
turned us, and which, under the agreed
must destroyed should be used in series of exper
which armen should attempt to destroy
them.
The secretary of war joined in asking the joint
board o army and navy work plans by
which the experiment should be conducted in way
truly whether the aerOplane has put the dread