SUBMARINE TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 8

SUBMARINE TRAGEDY.

PATHETIC SIDELIGHTS. VICTIMS "CRUCIFIED." A STORM OF CRITICISM. fFrom Out Own Correspondent.) SAN FRANCISCO, January 6. Some of the American newspapers Lave been unsparing in their criticism of the operations of the naval craft concerned in the lamentable tragedy of the ramming of the U.S. submarine S4, off Provincetown and the utter helplessness of naval vessels in the vicinity to rescue the imprisoned men in the sunken submarine so near the shore in but 200 feet of water. The blunt charge that the U.S. Navy Department "crucified'' the crew of the submarine S4 by its "cruel indifference" to their fate was made in a letter received in Washington from Mr. and Mrs. John M. Jones, of Hennessey, Oklahoma, parents of Lieutenant-Commander Roy K. Jones, who commanded the ill-fated craft. The letter was written to Representative McClintic, Democrat, of Oklahoma, and was the bitterest attack yet made on the navy's alleged responsibility for failure to rescue the crew of the sunken submarine. It said in part: "We were first advised of the disaster by the Press, and not until four hours after we had wired the Department did we hear a word from them. Mrs. Jones and I kept vigil for six days, waiting for some word of encouragement) from Washington, only to be rewarded with a statement from the Secretary that 'the S4 would probably not be raised before spring.'

''We both feel that the Navy Department has crucified our dear bov and his comrades and the cruel indifference which they have shown, these poor boys who died in the service of their country is inhuman and without precedent. Mrs. Jones and myself both commend you for the stand you have taken and pray you may be successful in causing this ship to be raised immediately."

Responding to this criticism, Secretary of the Navy Wilbur denied that he had informed Mr. and Mrs. Jones that the submarine would probably not be raised before spring, pointing out that every effort was being made to raise the craft immediately. He added: "The Navv did not have the address of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and did not learn it until Mr. Jones wired the Navy Department for information about his son." Legislator's Criticism. The Navy Department was severely criticised by Representative Griffin, Democrat, of New York, for failure to provide safety appliances for submarines and facilities for raising sunken submarines. Such devices and facilities, he said, have been used successfully for years by foreign nations. He proposed three measures of safety, which, he said, ho would recommend to the House Naval Affairs Committee in behalf of his resolution for investigation of the S4 disaster. The New York member has made a study of the submarine question, and two years ago characterised the United States' submarines as "floating coffins" in a speech in the House at Washington, following the Sol disaster. His three proposals were:—l, Telephone buoySj such as used by Germany. 2, Grappling rings on submarines, with which German undersea craft were equipped. 3, Especially constructed salvage vessels, such as, he said, were employed by Germany, Italy, and France. Had the U.S. Navy possessed these safeguards, he said, the sis men who were alive after the S4 went down could have been rescued. Investigation Demanded. An investigation of Secretary Wilbur's administration of the U.S. Navy was demanded in a resolution introduced in the House at Washington by Representative Loring Black of New York City. Citing recent disasters to naval vessels and criticism of alleged inefficiency by high naval officers, Representative Black said that Congress ought to inquire whether these things were mere isolated incidents or the result of a policy which had led to deterioration and weakening of America's sea power. He pointed out that within a comparatively short period one battleship, five destroyers, three submarines, and one aeroplane carrier had figured iu serious accidents. His resolution follows: "Whereas the Navy has recently suffered great losses of life and property not due to war; whereas it is essential to the safety of the country that the lives of naval officers and men and naval vessels be maintained in the highest state of efficiency; whereas criticism has been directed at the Navy Department from high naval quarters, charging waste and inefficiency; whereas the public is deeply concerned over the comparative strength of the Navy, and whereas the maritime standing of the United States in regard to the Navy and merchant marine is not commensurate with the wealth or needs of the country, therefore, be it resolved that a select committee of five members of the House of Representatives be appointed by the Speaker to inquire into the matters above set forth and to make recommendations to the Congress as to ways and means of safeguarding the lives of the Navy personnel, of enhancing the Navy's efficiency and comparative strength, of eliminating waste, and of building up the merchant marine."

William Philip Simms, a noted American war correspondent, who has made a study of naval affairs, has asked from "Washington: "What has become of the listening gear Ibout which we heard «o much during the war? The commander of a submarine, we were told, while far below the surface, could hear'and locate other vessels as they came and went. Was the S4 so equipped? If not, whv not? And if yes, then it would be verV useful to find out why the gear failed. Something is wrong somewhere and most likely among the 'higherups,' <;ince the lower grades have little to say in matters of this kind."