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Show ADMIRAL FISKE REVIEWS NAVY German Strategy Better Than That of U. S. Navy Carefully Devised Plans Bring Logical Results. Washington, April 12. lack of a logical method in the development develop-ment of the American navy was deplored by Rear Admiral Bradley N. Fiske, U S N., in a paper on "Naval Strategy" presented at today's to-day's session of the annual conven-t'on conven-t'on of the Navy League of the United States The admiral did not appear in person, his paper Leing read by a delegate. "In the elementary parts of the naval profession," said the paper, "wo do very well. But of the higher high-er .branches, particularly of strategy, strate-gy, we have little clear conception. If we compare the strategical methods employed by Germany and us we are forced to admit that the German methods are belter adapted to produce economically a navy fitted to contend successfully in war against an enemy. In Germany Ger-many Ihe development of the navy has been strictly along the lines or a mostly carefully devised plan before be-fore hand; in our country no logical log-ical method whatever is apparent.' Comparing the American navy -with that of England, we declared ' that It was "a cooperant policy of development and strategy which more than any other factor has made Great Britain the ruler of the seas and almost the mlatress of the world." Congress Alone Decides. Admiral Fiske pointed out that in this country congress alone decides de-cides how many vessels shall be built and how many officers and men shall wear the uniforms. "It is true," he said, "that they consult con-sult the report of the head of the navy and ask the opinions oS some naval officers. And the advice ad-vice of these naval officers is not so valuable, possibly, as it might be; for the reason that it is really real-ly irresponsible, since the advisors themselves know that it will not be taken very seriously " iVould Back Down Before Japan. "If a Japanese fleet convoying troop transports should appear off the coast of California, or adjacent adja-cent Mexico, with the command, that we abandon our Asiatic exclusion ex-clusion policy or fight and the enpal was blocked, I doubt not we should instantly abandon our exclusion ex-clusion policy," was the assertion of Henry A. Wise Wood of New York, formerly a member of the naval advisory board. "It may be said with accuracy that wo have no foreign policy at the moment," said Mr. Wood. "With the destruction of our citizens citi-zens while upon foreign merchant ships we offer no armed interference interfer-ence nor do we offer armed interference inter-ference when our citizens upon foreign soil are destroyed, their wives and children outraged, their property confiscated." Germany, Japan and Russia wero placed by Mr. Wood in the active group of sea power nations with one or more of which the United States might become involved in-volved in war, while he put Great Britain, France, Italy and Austria In the passive groAp, in normal times there being lio conflict between be-tween the policies of these nations na-tions with us. Our navy requires, said Mr. Wood, an Atlantic force superior to that of Germany; a Pacific force superior to that of Japan and protection for the Panama canal. |
