VALUE OF CRUISE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1924, Page 7

VALUE OF CRUISE.

QUESTIONS FOR OFFICIALS . SERIOUS DOUBT EXPRESSED. ■IS TOUR TOO ARDUOUS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright* Received Dec. 21 11.45 p.m. Washington, Dec. 19. Regarding the controversy concerning the proposed Pacific naval cruise and manoeuvres, a rescript of further testimony by Mr. Wilbur (Secretary of the Navy) and Admiral Eberle before the appropriations committee of the House has been obtained by the Australian Press Association.

The committee, in view of President Coilidge’s knoifciJL^/position to the recent Congressional endeavours to encourage extensive naval increases, plied officials with numerous questions in order to determine the exact character of the Hawaiian manoeuvres and the exact advantageg to be gained therefrom, and a fear was even inferentiaily expressed concerning the deterioration resulting from naval units undertaking such a long trip. Emphasis was also placed on the effect of the cruise upon international opinion. Representative French asked what would probably be the most ambitious programme ever attempted by the United States? Admiral Eberle replied: “Thi s is somewhat the longest during the four years in which we have been having manoeuvres.” BRITISH PRECEDENT. Mr. French then commented that Britain did not usually make such extensive tests. Admiral Eberle replied, citing the lecent British world tour, which was many times longer than the contemplated American voyage to Australia find New Zealand, pointing out that the British thereby derived wonderful results in training the crews. Mr. French said: “That was the thought in my mind, namely the extent of. the American cruise and its advantages.” Admiral Eberle countered by pointing out that in the last three years the Pacific fleet during manoeuvres was practically under way the same number of days as projected for 1925, but the 1925 manoeuvres implied beneficial and continued straight away cruising for all kinds of training, such as moving in formation, that are possible only in a long straightaway cruise.

Mr. French said: ‘‘ln that same connection there is this other thought. There are benefits to the personnel and to the machinery, but is there a point beyond which you overdo it, beyond which you are really wearing out ships, machinery and so on. That we should consider, or does th’s improve it ?” Admiral Eberle replied: “The machinery after one of these cruises is in better shape than when the ships start. Long cruises give experience to th e personnel in running the machinery, economising the fuel and operating under a steady load day and night, as you would have to do in war time. You have a chance on a long cruise to straighten out th e wrinkles and for steady improvement, which you do not discover and can .not have by operating for short periods.”’ M , SIX MONTHS’ CRUISE. Mr. Wilbur then said: “I am going to ask the admiral whether th© boilers are deteriorated more by use that way.” Admiral Eberle replied: “I do not think so if the boilers arg in good condition when they start and are overhauled at regular intervals. I think steady steaming and keeping the same steam pressure and getting the men used to maintaining this on a long cruise is better for the boilers than simply taking short spurts when they want to force them.”

Representative Taber then turned to Admiral Eberle and asked: “If you follow that programme would not the fleet be manoeuvring almost six month*.”

The admiral replied: “They sail from San Francisco in April and return home in September.” Mr. French now asked Mr. Wilbur: “Does the question as it stands point to goodwill among nations and the friendly feeling of other nations towards the United States?” Mr. Wilbur said: “First let me s»y I have not conferred with the State Department -in th e matter at all. We have had inquiries from the State Department whether we are going to Australia, and we replied that it depends upon the action of Congress in the matter of appropriations. There has been great interest in this proposed trip among the Australian people. W e got that feeling through the newspaper requests for information and through their commercial agents.”