El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-18
j. s. CONTENDS
FOR SEA POWER
Completion of Naval Pro
gram VIII See America
Close Second.

washington. D. C., aug. 1S.-The
rapid rise Of the United States as a
naval power during the past two
years is graphically demonstrated in
figures showing the sea strength Of
the various world powers. compiled by
the navy departments office Of naval
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 sec
ond only TO Great Britain and is at
present pushing 10 completion build
ing program that viii make the
american navy. for the first time in
recent history. a formidable con-
tender for first naval honors.
A little more than two years ago,
the figures show. Germany, then sec
ond naval power, Boosted more than
100 more ships OF all classes than the
United states, with q total tonnage
exceeding that Of the American navy
by nearly 100000 tons. Great Britain s
fleet at that time mum bered total OF
$50 ships, aggreElting 2.3f5.564 tons
as compared with Germany's e62
ships and 1.05S.240 tons and the
United States I53 ships and s60,01I
Germany Ranks Third.
Today Germany. now in third place
among naval powers. has paper
navy OF $50 ships Of all types, totaling
S26, 637 tons. These figures do not in
clude German vessels surrendered TO
the allies or Russian vessels in the
hands OF the Germans. Regarded from
the standpoint Of fighting efficiency
as distinguished from number Of
ships and tonnage. Germany is out
classed by both France and japan,
her navy being composed almost en-
tirely OF old and obsolete vessel s. The
pride Of Germany's power was surren-
dered TO the allies at Scapa Flow.
where many Of them were sunk by
their officers and crews.
Japan. fifth naval power In lSl Z.
has passed France and Germany both
and now ranks next TO the United
States in fighting sea strength The
actual standing Of the naval powers
Of the world today from the stand
point Of modern fighting strength, &C
cordinE 10 the navy Departments
figures, is; Great Britain. United
States, Japan France, Germany. Rus
STA and Italy.
The completion Of all vessels now
building and projected will add 2l9
ships. totaling 500. 900 tons to the
British navy as compared with 549
ships and 1.116.3S9 tons for the
United States, "a ships and $4,000
900 tons for Germany. according 70
the most authentic figures available
at the navy department.
L. :. Approaches England.
The completion Of the present build
ing programs, matter Of about three
years. viii find the chief naval powers
Of the world with the following rela-
tive strengths: Great Britain, 955
ships nfs5 agsTgati ms 9b I7542 tott tins
T u I ! -
tons; France. 253 ships. 1928 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 during
cludes more than $50 destroyers OF the
fastest and latest type. with nearly 200
more building or contracted Tor Great
Britain owns about 425 OF this type
I little modern naval value. and has
about 10 building or authorized.
Germauy's destroyer force has been
SO reduced as TO make il a negligible
factor. Japan owns 40 modern de-
stroyers, according TO best available
figures, and has about 20 under con-
construction
Powerful Battle Fleet.
Great Britain emerged from the
war with by far the most powerful
z
the world. although the United States
now has under construction formid-
able aggregation Of major ships. Eng
lands navy today includes IS battle
ships and nine battle cruisers less
than 20 years old. with four powerful
battle cruisers now under oonstruc-
ton
The United states has IS battIeships
! capable Of holding a place in a modern
Z battle line and not including a num-
/ Der OF old type battleships listed for
sale or the scrap heap. Thirteen oil
& the most modern battleships in thg
/ world are under construction for the
I United States and six battle cruisers
are authorized and Will be completed
I during the next three years.
japan has 10 battleships and sever
| battle cruisers completed and foul
/ battle cruisers under construction OF
{ authorized Germany retains 80 bat
] tleshiDs and one battle cruiser. mos
: Of which are OF practically no nava
Z value. and has two battleships ant
three battle cruisers laid down. OF
/ which construction has been stopped
! France has IS battleships and no hat
tie cruisers completed and five bat
tleships and four battle cruisers unde
! construction
7 Major ship Line Up.
The completion OF the nresen
building programs will find the fol
lowing line up Of major ships: Grea
Britain. - hattleships. and 13 hattl
cruisers; United States ~ battleshin
and six battle cruisers: Japan. 70 bat
tleships and Il battle cruisers: Ger
many. % battleships and four battl
cruisers. still subject to the fina
naval peace terms. and France % bat
tleships and four battle cruisers.
Great Britain leads the world 4
cruiser and light cruiser strenCt
i, with a total Of 119 vessels OF thes
types as compared with 30 for tn
United States 2S for Japan. 81 10
! Germany and 70 for France.
Two naval powers formerly OF ron
{ siderable strength. IN addition 20 Ger
, 4 many. have been at least temDoraril
| eliminated as a result OF the wa
! Russia and Austro- Hungary's Sc
forces having been demoralfze,
= The insignificant Turkish naval powe
IS held by the allies.