The Washington times., 1911-02-06
LEADING NATIONS
BUILD BIG NAV|ES
Tendency Is Toward Larger
Battleships Driven BY
Turbines.
ENGLAND OUTSTRIPS
OTHER BIG POWERS
All Save United States Are Busy
With Scout Cruisers and
Armored Cruisers.

According to the office of naval in
telligence, the tendency of nations is
toward bigger battIeships
Among the striking tendencies in the
worlds navies is the one toward the use
of turbines. They are being universally
adopted as the mode OF propulsion.
The latest step in the development of
the all big-gun type of battleship has
been the introduction of 135-inch guns
in the British navy and 14-inch guns in
the United States navy. Germany is
also conducting experiments with IA
inch guns, and is about to introduce
them on her latest ships. The tendency
toward the greater caliber is brought
about by the discovery that the Pinch
gun does not have long lease of life.
Twelve-Inch Guns Worn Out.
In a series of engagements there is
not much question the Pinch guns in
the American navy would be found to
be literally worn out. That is, the pro-
jectile has to be driven with such power
as to play havoc with the rifling. The
larger projectile of the l4-inch gun pro-
duces the same effect If driven with
less velocity, thus inhicting less dam
age on the ritiing.
Nearly all European powers and
Japan are building all big-gun ships.
In South America, Argentina and Bra
I'll such ships have already been built
or are being built. Chile is about to
follow in the same road.
England, Germany, and Japan are the
only powers which are now laying
down so-called armored cruisers. The
latest ships of this type in England
have far outdistanced their cOntem-
pOrary battleships in displacement and
speed, while carrying the same caliber
Of heavy guns, although fewer in num-
ber, and having but slightly less armor
protection. According to the office of
naval intelligence, they deserve the
name of battleship cruiser now COM
monty applied to them. for they have
certainly outgrown the class of armored
cruisers, as formerly understood.
The nations building such ships are
in reality building two types of battle
ships, fast and slow.
Nearly all the principal naval powers.
except the United States, are building
fast scout cruisers and protected Cruis-
ers, in addition to the heavy ships, and
their building programs always include
torpedo-boat destrOyers and submarines.
South American Countries Busy.
A glance over the naval building pro-
grams of the different nations shows
that every country of Importance is
working toward a larger navy. The
efforts of England and Germany in this
direction are pretty generally under
stood. Each is adding to its already
enormous outlay for warships. Japan
has lately let contract to an English
company for a S-000-ton dreadnaught
1t will be vessel of terrible capacity,
having a speed Of twenty-eight knots
and a battery of twelve l4-inch guns.
1t will be completed in two and a half
years.
South American countries have caught
the fever. Brazil has a warship under
g., 600 tons disl .aCement, and will Je
equipped with twelve fOurteen-inch
guns. Two great dreadnaughts were re-
Gently completed for Brazil, and a
movement has bene started to raise by
popular subscription the money for
fourth battleship.
Not only is Argentina having two
5000 vessels built in this country, but !
the government is planning to lay down
third warshp, which will probably
carry fOurteen-inCh guns. Chile does |
not propose to be behind her neighbors, |
and has authorized two big battleships. !