Morison Thinks Submarines Key Arm of Coming Navies

To stay afloat in a Third World War, the navies of the world will have to sink beneath the waves--this was the paradoxical prediction yesterday of Samuel Eliot Morison '07, naval expert and Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History.

Submarines will largely replace the capital ship, now rendered obsolete according to Morison by the invention of guided missiles which can chop them to pieces before they are within striking distance of the target. Bikini tests were also cited by Morison as proof of the effectiveness of atomic attacks on surface vessels.

Such are the implications of Morison's new book, "The Battle of the Atlantic," volume one of a 13-tome history of the U.S. Navy's role in World War II. This pre-declaration-of-war phase was the battle of the convoy versus the undersea wolf, and Morison tells how close the wolves came to starving out their English prey.

Vichy Sources First

Number two of the series, "The North African Battle," appeared ahead of the initial book published tomorrow for a very good reason, said Morison. "I had the Vichy French documents to work with early, because they cooperated with us before the European surrender.

"But I had to wait for the chance to study many German papers from Grand Admiral Doenitz' confidential records which only his defeat could bring to light."

In successive editions Morison plans to deal with the Navy in the Pacific, where, he pointed out yesterday, the U.S. itself had an opportunity to utilize the undersea boat.