New-York tribune., 1921-02-04
Battleslnip Is
Held Supreme
By Navy Board
Report Insists That 1916
Program Should BE Com
pIeted Without Change;
Holiday Plan Condemned
Lessons of War Cited
rxperfs Contend Immunity
Against Submarine and
Air Attack Is Proved
y. "a. r,anune,s washinoton nnrenn

r-nr. rae T,ibuns's WdshiaOson bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. Battleships
.Ill continue to be the main lighting
,rsft as long as navies exist, and argu-
msa,s against capital ships are based
!, me old fallacy that war can be
ehesply won by hitting. lodging and
,,,rning, the navy General Board de-
elsre. to-day in report to Secretary
Daniels.
The board, which is headed by Rear
Admiral Charles J. Badger, takes direct
issue with the proponents of modern
s;rcraft as superior to major ships,
ssa contends that the war disclosed
nothing that would justify abandon
nent Of the major ships as the back
bone OF the nations sea power.
The boards report, which was sent
by secre 'ary Daniels to the Senate
Nsesl Committee for consideration in
is discr ssion OF the pending disarma-
meut aud naval holiday resolutions,
vigorously opposes any cessation in
bsilding.
All Limitations Opposed
aThe General Board" the report saws,
shaving kept in touch with naval prog
ress along all lines, reiterates its be-
lief in the battleships as forming the
principal units of the feet. Without
them the United States cannot hope
TO cope with existing navies. The
board strongly urges that the policy
whlch has characterized our building
program since 1908 of eventually Great
!ng navy equal TO the strongest, he
continued and that no rest period or
limitation OF armament be agreed to
which win modify the authorized build
ing program of 1916 in numbers. GEN
eral types and date of completion. The,
ships recommended in that program
are thoroughly modern and there is no
reason to believe that the develop
ments in submarine and air warfare
will seriously detract from their value
ior many years to come"
The board urges that continued
steps be taken toward developing sub
marines, aircraft and aircraft carriers,
and sounds warning that "in the
future, as at all times previous to the
World War, we shall IN all probability
have to rely solely upon our own state
of Preparedness"
The report of the Naval Board re-
iars at length to experiences in the
Norld War In which the supremacy of
the battleship over the smaller, more
agile craft was said to have been we'll
established. The results at the battle
Of Jutland, when major ships withstood
attacks from torpedoes were cited by
the board.
Torpedoes Generally Wasted
Nothing was accomplished in the
battle." the report said, "in the way
Of destruction of capital ships by tor
pedoes, although great numbers were
launched. Destroyer met destroyer,
light cruiser light cruiser, and the
b4tt.eships held their place in the line.
The most serious damage to the ships
in this battle was due to the great
gun"
To-day the opponents of the battle
Ship the report continues, "are bas-
ing their arguments upon the present
and prospective, especially the pros
rective development of submarines and
aircraft. 1t is the old battle of words
over again-like that OF the torpedo
ermor, speed against concentrated
ASuklilS DOHCA' w oAS eo4ANo w e'S
cept h pos for accomplishment"
The capital ship is held by the board
to have survived the German sub
marine through the successful employ
nent Of the destroyer and other yes
sells with their depth bombs, motor
boats with listening devices, and finally
submarine against submarine.
Throughout the war" the report
adds, though the cruising ground of
the Grand Fleet was infested by sub
marines, brought to a high state of
perfection by the Germans, not a single
battleship of that feet was sunk or
even very seriously injured by sub
marine attacks. The protective meas
ures adopted were successful and the
Grand Fleet frequently traversed the
North Sea and adjacent waters un-
harmed and at will There is no reason
TO believe that the defense along these
lines will not continue to keep pace
with the offense.'
Taking up the question of aviation,
the general boards report lays stress
upon the efficiency of capital ships
against attack from the air. Admitting