The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-02-19
BATTLESHlPS
ARESUPREME
is DECISION
Holds with Navy Department
That Airplanes Won't
Supercede Them
REPORT PU LISHE y
Report of Navy General Board
on Future Power Needed
Is Published
REPORT PUBLISH HE'D
APPEARS AT HEARING

gong to the White House today for
his much advertised "reprmand''
from President Coolidge. Brigadier
; General Mitchell appeared once more
before the aircraft committee and
reaffirmed his opposition to the ad-
ministration's aircraft policies.
Before he took the stand the gen.
eral disclaimed all connections with
the report of White House sum-
mons which broke up yesterdays
meeting.
When General Mitchell took the
stand before the committee today,
Rep. Reid. Of Illinois, asked: as
this General Mitchell or an ex-gen-
eral?' The Assistant Army Air
Chief smiled but did not reply,
Washington, Feb. 19.-Definite ac-
reptance by President Coolidge after
careful inquiry Of the Navy depart
ment's theory that air power can
never supersede battleship suprema-
cy at sea, if implied, is not stated,
in his announced $3O,0OO,OOO naval
construction program for the pres
ent and ensuing fiscal year, now be-
fore Congress.
This was disclosed in the publica-
tion today Of the report of the Navy
general board, acting as special
board of inquiry by the Presidents
direction on the relative military
value of aircraft, submarines and
battleships, along with the statement
by the executive showing the basis
of the appropriation recommends
tions that he had forwarded to Con-
gress.
No Direct Reference
While the President made no direct
reference to the boards findings, his
statement shows acceptance in prin-
ciple. but on modified scale, of the
boards recommendations as to the
priority and nature Of new construe-
tion for the Navy.
The board recommended immedi-
ately modernization of six of the
older battleships as the first require
ment for the Navy. The President,
in his program for modernization
without gun elevation, cut this num-
Der to three ships and eliminated
for modernization of seven other
battleships as soon as possible
In the boards recommendation
Tor prompt completion of the new
aircraft carriers and their planes as
the second step, the President con-
Cured.
Where the board recommended
building without delay" the eight
10000 ton cruisers already author
lied. the President reduced this to
two ships to be started at once.
Fifth Proposal
AS fifth in priority the board,
submitted the following recommen-
dation for which no provision il
found in the Presidents program:
THAT a progressive and adequate
airplane building program be au-
thorized to insure to the fleet com
plete outfit Of up-to-date planes with
SO percent replacement in reserve,
as we'll as the necessary training
planes, at total expenditure for the
first year of $20,000,000."
The program before Congress also
proposes no step carrying out the
boards sixth recommendation for
laying down in 1927 of the three
fleet submarines already authorized,
while for the seventh, proposing au-
thorization, and building, without
unnecessary delay" of a $4,000 ton
additional aircraft carrier, the Pres
ident substituted provision to start
work on the group of gunboats al
ready authorized for patrol work on
Chinese rivers.