The New York herald., 1921-02-08
DANIELS ISSUES AIR
FIGHT CHALLENGE
Secretary Willing for Combat
Between DreadnOught
and Plane.
WOULD NAVIGATE SHIP
Expresses Scepticism as to the
Ability Of Bombs to An
initiate Fleet.
SPECIAL Desparcn TO THE New YORK HruAlD.
New York Herald Bureau.
washington, ID. c., Feb. ..

Special Despatch 70 THE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. G.. Feb. :.
Secretary Daniels has issued a chal-
lenge TO the War Department 10 de-
termine by actual experiment the rela-
tive merits of battleships and aircraft
as agencies of naval warfare. In a
letter addressed to-day to Secretary >of
War Baker Mr.. Daniels announced the
navy is planning to undertake tests
under simulated war conditions which
will determine the ability of surface
ships to defend themselves against air.
craft and he suggests the test be made
under Joint control of the War and
Navy departments.
The letter is regarded as a virtual
challenge from the advocates of the
battleship as the principal fleet unit
to those who are urging that battle
chip construction be abandoned and
that the country depend chiefly OH air.
planes for it's safety.
1t is Mr. Daniels's answer TO state
ments made 10 Congress by Brighten.
Mitchell chief OF the Army Air Service
TO the effect that from the tests made on
the battleship Indiana Gen. Mitchell
drew the conclusion the battleship was
obsolete. This stirred the ire OF the
Secretary OF the Navy and he now en-
phasizes his disbelief in the ability OF
the aircraft TO hit moving target ny
suggesting that he personally might
navigate the ship bombed in the expert
ments
"If Admiral Mitchell cannot drop
bombs from the air more effectively than
he can explode them in committee meet
ings." was Mr.. Daniels's peppery COM
rnent ~ would take a chance On
n,anoeuvring a battlcship myself w''se
lie tried out his pet plan.
Admiral Coontz. Chief Of .'aVal Opera.
lions announced before the House Naval
Committee that the Navy is considerln-
using one of the German naval vessels
allocated 10 this country for this purpose
He said the vessel used would De more
modern than the Indiana. The only YES
sci answering to that description is the
os,friesland. now in New York Harbor.
Tho letter addressed by Secretary
Daniels TO Secretary Baker follows
FOR some time the navy has been
engaged in experiments TO determine the
effectiveness OF projectiles upon surface
vessels Recently an experiment TO THIS
end was carried out with the old battle
snip Indiana. in which aerial bomps
were utilized. The Indiana was anchored
and bombs placed in various loc"Ities
about the upper decks. and ia addition
bombs were placed under Toe water AZ
vafy'in- divtYpccs from thc Sims 5 q 8
also dummy bombs were dropped irtui
an altitude ot 5000 Get further 90 ascc
tain the degree of accuracy with which
these bombs could be dropped on an lnl-
movable vessel. The result oi these cN-
periments has been given. or parts OF
them. 20 the Naval Affairs Committee.
"it = the desire Of the Navy Depart
ment. which for years has been making
the largest use OF aviation as part OF
naval national defence. to conduct other
and larger experiments Stimulating actual
warfare, and Il il proposed TO continue
further these experiments within the
next 90 days by bombing al sea ves-
sci more modern than the I. >. ;.
Indiana.
"In view OF the discussion Ia both
this country and abroad Of the impor-
tancc Of aircraft. ! am writing 10 -ug-
gest that experiments VIC arc cor
tcmplatlns TO conduct shortly should be
carried on Jointly with the army. or rep
of the army should witness
these experiments. and ] would suggest
this matter he taken up by the joint
board Of tho army and navy. and that
they make such recommendations as may
be adv visablV."