Show STRATEGY OARO CRITICISEO INEXPEBIENCED MEN DIRECT OUR NAVAL MOVEMENTS I Admiral Belknap Thinks It Absurd That They Should Direct Men Like DeweyIncreased Navy Urged Boston May 7At the banquet of the Massachusetts club tonight Rear Admiral Belknap said the brilliancy of Commodore Deweys victory filled him with gladness and he declared that the Spanish navy would be or should be the objective point of the United States navy and the destruction of that navy the sternest aim of our navy He deprecated the unwillingness of congress in times of peace to make any appropriations for the navy He highly praised Commodore Dewey and said that If the official story of his doings do-ings at Manila confirms the reports of his victory there it will show that Farraguts mantle of resolution and bravery has fallen upon a worthy and Intrepid successor Continuing he said We are told that he has a quick temper that he resents interference with his conception concep-tion of duty and his prerogatives as a commanding officer but what man of affairs who amounts to anything has not a temper and mind of his own There is as you know a naval strategy board in Washington to direct movements move-ments at this juncture Some of its members never had a minutes experience experi-ence in war Heaven save the mark How could theY nlan the movements for the guidance of old officers who are supposed to know their business In handling and fighting ships and fleets without outside advice But it is said that Captain Mahan has been ordered home to take a seat on the strategy board Fancy Dewey broad able and dashing splendid seaman and brilliant commander who has won one of the most unique complete and signal naval battles of the century taking advice on professional lines from a mere writer of books like Mahan It is merely absurd ab-surd Mahan is a forceful and accomplished accom-plished writer but there is no Farra gut or Dewey sea genius in his makeup make-up Now in my judgment the naval strategy of the war Is the hunting down and destruction of the Spanish fleet That accomplished the war should soon come to an end In the course of his remarks Admiral Belknap pointed out the probability that the German emperor when he has a new fleet built would want to measure meas-ure swords with the American republic inasmuch as the commercial instinct of the German people made it likely and said the United States should be ready to meet him > Admiral Kimberly attributed the victory vic-tory at Manila to the best of judgment the best of pluck and the most thorough thor-ough seamanship He made a plea for an increased navy |