New-York tribune., 1921-06-16

front as one of the vital elements of
strong navy. In overseas war
scouting and operating extensively on
an enemy coast-the submarine is of
supreme Importance. And it will be a
deadly factor in future sea battles.
And last. but not least, the subma-
rine is the most useful of all craft in
defending friendly commerce and in
attacking the enemy's communications
and merchant marine. Admiral Won
Scheer has recently given testimony
to this effect. He rightly declares that
feet of submarines can keep the seas
indefinitely in commerce lanes, and in
escaping pursuit and detection by sub
mergence they will be far more eff
cient as commerce destroyers than the
Emden and other German cruisers
which did much damage to the Allied
shipping. He points out that surface
ships cannot escape detection. Their
whereabouts will ultimately be made,
known and they will be destroyed.
Thus the submarine is one of the
main elements Of strong navy in
1921. But the United States practi-
caIly ignores this demonstrated truth.
Our navy has no modern types. All
cur submarines are limited to coast
defense. We will soon destroy several
captured German submarines that are
superior to any boats that we shall
have until 1924. The situation IL smaz-
ing. II is absolutely incxcusable.
A Naval Air Force
A naval air force 60 serve st sea with
the fieet is an absolutely necessary eie-
ment of strong navy. 1t is imma-
terial whether or not bombing and tor.
pedo planes can actually sink S4o,-
100000 dreadnought. 1t will be ad-
mitsed that they menace the capital
ship. They can and they will sink all
other surface craft! Enough has been
done to prove that destroyers, cruisers,
colliers and auxiliary ships in the fleet
can be bombed off the sea il the enemy
commands the air! Small bombs will
suffice against such vessels. They have
TO arnlor protection. Their upper decks
are thin and easily penetrated. One
25o-pound bomb penetrating the ma
chinery or boiler compartment of de-
stroyer or cruiser will put it out of
action.
There have no doubt been many over.
statements as to the power OF the
bombing plane and the percentage of
hits it may make. But it is neverthe-
less clear that battieships and surface
craft generally will be constantly en-
dangered. The dreadnought cannot
scoR at 1,000-pound bomb landing on
its deck. 1t may not be sunk, but it
will be badly Jared. 1t is possible that
IL may be put out of action, floating
harmlessly upon the sea. The surface
feet must not lose control OF the air.
If it does it cannot longer exist.
One-PIane Macy Weakness
To conclude this brief discussion. it
may be asserted without fear of contra
diction that a surface navy with no
seagoing submarines and air forces ia
essentially u weak navy. 1t is like an
army composed Of heavy artillery alone.
1t cannot move against hostile navy
that is provided not only with battle
ships but with modern weapons and all
the auxiliary forces that operate above
the surface and beneath the surface of
the sea. No matter how many battle
ships and cruisers we may build. they
Will, If unaided and unprotected by
submarines and airplanes, be harmless
against nation which has had the
foresight to supply itself with power
fui submarine and air forces. In other