Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-31
AIR AND UNDERSEA
CRAFT TO REPLACE
BIG GBATTLESH|PS
Daniels Orders Study by
General Board of Rel
ative Values.
GREAT BRITAIN PlNNING
HER FAITH IN AIRPLANES
Japan Believes There Is Moth
ing So Efficient as
Dreadnoughts.
Bi JOHN GI.EISsNEU.
United News Stan Corresnoudcn 4

WASHINGTON. Jan. 3O.-rossibili,y
that the gigantic dreadnoughts and
battle cruisers Of the great navies of
the world have lost much OF their
value as fighting units is brough.
into prominence by news that Sec
rotary OF the Navy Daniels has di-
rectcd study OF the relative value
oil the various weapons OF naval war
:are, in light OF experience gained
through the world war.
The question is one of unusual i'm
portance at this juncture. when con-
struction is going forward on six
teen capital ships OF more than 4O.-
coo tons. while at the same time
there is growing sentiment for linn
itation Of armament Moreover. Con
Sress, casting about for ways to re-
trench. would he unwilling to sink
hundreds OF millions in the construc-
ton OF floating forts if smaller and
!css expensive weapons would suf-
flce
II is notable in this connection thar
Great Britain has not la:i down the
keel o! single capital shin since N.
So 'N"'ph 6tHtEdIIS aSCFlben
Tor this Is economic. but among some
observers thcre Is belief that the
naval experts OF that country ha-
!ieFe AR supremacy is more TO be
"tsireo' ana that navy with Irwin
e'"'''S IN aircraft could defeat any
enemy.
Stories Emanntc From Germany.
Many stories come from GERMANY
'hat improved aircraft and sub
marine have rendered the big battle.
shipS useless. Just the other day II
was reported that German inventors
RAD perfected new type ~ sub
marine which il was said could en-
able a country like America 10 pro.
tect long coast lines at minimum
OF cost. Likewise the Germans arc
fond of remarking that all the
mighty ships OF Grea, Britain could
rot protect her maritime commerce
from submarine attack
Japan, apparently. does not doubt
the efficiency OF the powerful ships
or the line. She is now building
three in British yards-the most
formidable battle cruisers designed
and has under consideration the con-
The view OF the general board OF
the American navy has been that
nothing has occurred To detract from
the value OF the big units. In Il re-
port 10 Secretary Daniels the board
said: Nothing that occurred dur
ing the world war has served to
change the opinion o. the general
board as 10 tho vital Importance in
way OF the baitlcship the ship that
can at once give and take heavy
blows. There has been some specula-
tion as TO the future value of this
type in View OF the possible develop
ment of the offensive powers of sub
marines and aircraft But it would
be the heiehth OF wisdom TO pin our
faith and change our practice on
mere theories as 10 the future de-
velopment OF new weapons"
Daniels Adheres to View.
Secretary Daniels adhcrcs to this
view.
There has been sporadic criticism.
both in this country and abroad. OF
the policy OF completing capital ships
authorized four years ago" he said
The first reason. he explained. is that
it was argued II was not necessary to
complete them.
THE second criticism has been that
the time has come TO abandon capital
II',ptFru,I on SncnpI