South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-17
Rapid Rise as Naval Power
is GRAPHICALLY Demon
Strated by Figures.


years is graphically demonstrated in
figures showing the sea strength Of
the various world powers. complied
by the navy departments office OF
navy intelligence. They show that
the United States, close pressed by
France in 1917 for its place as third
naval power in the world. Is now
second only TO Great Britain and is
az present pushing 20 completion a
building program that will make the
American navy, for the first time in
recent history. a formidable contend
CT for first naval honors.
\ little more than two years ago.
the figures show. Germany. then
second naval power. boosted more
than 100 more ships Of all classes
than the United States. with a total
forage exceeding that OF the Ameri-
Gun navy by nearly 200, 900 tons. Great
Britains feet at that time number
ed a total Of $50 ships aggregating
2.375.564 tons as compared with
Germany's 2s2 ships and 1,058,240
tons and the United States 1853 snins
and S6O.017 tons.
Germany is Third Today.
Today Germany, now in third
place among naval powers, has
..p.- err navy OF 45O ships Of all
types totaling S26.6S7 tons. These
figures do not include German yes
sells surrendered TO the allies or
Russian vessels ia the hands Of the
Germans. Regarded from the stand
point Of fighting efficiency as dis
tinguished from number Of ships
and tonnage, Germany is outclassed
~ both France and Japan. her navy
being composed almost entirely OF
old and obsolete vessels. The pride
OF Germanys sea power was surren-
de=ed TO the allies at Scapa Flow,
where many of them were sunk by
their officers and crews.
Japan. fifth naval power in 1917,
has passed France and Germany
both and now ranks next to the
United States in hghting sea strength.
The actual standing OF the naval
powers or the world today from the
standpoint OF modern fighting
strength, according TO the navy de-
partment's figures, is Great Britain,
United States. Japan. France, Ger
many, Russia and Italy.
The completion OF all vessels now
building and projected will add 21s
ships totaling 5000 tons TO the
British navy as compared with $40
ships and 1,l15,3S9 tons for the
United States. "a ships and 167.2Oo
tons for Japan, and 1S ships and
90. 900 tons for Germany. according
10 the most authentic figures avail
able at the navy department.
Complete Program I'm 3 Years.
The completion OF the present
building programs will be a matter
OF about three years II will find
the chief naval powers OF the world
with the following relative strengths:
Great Britain. s55 ships aggregating
2.772,542 tons; United States. sos
ships totaling 2,117s22 tons; japan,
40 ships 7S5,239 tons: France 253
ships, 71s,237 tons and Germany
463 ships measuring 923,437 tons
As a result OF the great torpedo
boat destroyer building program car
ried out BY the United States dur
ing the war the American nay now
includes more than $50 destroyers
OF the fastest and latest type. with
nearly 200 more building or con-
tracted for. Great Britain owns
about 425 OF this type OF vessel
many Of them old and OF little
modern naval value. and has about
10 building or authorized. Ger
many's destroyer force has been so
reduced as 20 make IL negligible
factor Japan owns 40 modern de-
stroyers according to best available
ngures. and has about 20 under
construction.
Great Britain emerged from the
war with 10y far the most power
ful battleship and battle cruiser
force in the world: although the
United states now has under con
struction a formidable aggregation
OF major ships Engl8nd's navy to-
day includes 90 battleships and
nine cruisers less than 20 years old.
with four powerful battle cruisers
now under construction.
L. =. Constructs Modern ships.
The United states has 30 battle
ships capable of holding a place in
a modern hattIeship line and not in
Guiding q number OF cid type bait
tleships listed for sale or the scrap
heap. Thirteen OF the most mod
ern battleships in the world are
under construction for the United
States and six battle cruisers are
authorized and viii be completed
during the next three years.
Japan has 13 batlcshirs and
seven battle cruisers completed and
four battle cruisers under construc.
ton or authorized. Germany re-
tains 80 battleships and one battle
cruiser most Of which are OF prac-
ticaIly no naval value. ana has tive
battleships and three battle cruiser
laid down. on which constructed
has been stopped France has Is
battleships and no battle cruisers
completed and five battleships ans
four battle cruisers undo. Conatruc
ton.
Great Britain VIE Lead.
The completion or the present