The Washington times., 1921-01-12

/ ocSN'ShNS VI INV |
go to make up a roundly effective
navy. Whether this lack moro than
Offsets our advantage IN capital ships
is a question on which naval experts
differ.
CONCEAL REAL STRENGTH.
1t is not always possible to guage
exactly the naval power of great ma
tions, the Secretary pointed out, be-
cause II is not always known whether
building authorized has been under
taken and whether rival nations have
been frank enough to publish their
real strength.
But as far as we are able to deter
mine from reliable sources" said the
Secretary, ut is found that when
building programs authorized and
projected are completed, the follow
ing general situation will exist.
"First-In reference to the British
navy:
I'm major ships and in great gun
power the United States will be SUI
perior In total tonnage and effective
lighting ships the United States will
be approximately equal to Great Brit
ian. The United States navy will,
however. be considerably weaker In
light cruisers and the other ships
used for protecting the main body Of
the fleet and conducting a blockade
ing. operations.
INFERIOR IN SUBMARINES.
eve will be slightly inferior in sub
marines and will have no modern
aircraft carriers suitable for operat-
ing with the fleet. The lack OF Meet
aviation forces will place us at
disadvantage in comparison with
Great Britain. This means that
while our battleship force will be suf-
6ciently powerful to cope with any
navy in the world, in a main feet
engagement between battleships. yet
our main feet would be open to
torpedo attack by the enemys tor
pedo forces.
"We would also be handicapped in
obtaining information of enemy
movements and maintaing the block
ade of enemy ports.
Due to this weakness in ships Of
this class, we would be handicapped
in conducting attacks against the
eiNmy's fleet with torpedoes.
Second, in comparison with the
Japanese navy: 800
1.-The United States navy will be su-
perior to the Japanese in total ton
mage Of effective ships in the ratio
Of 2E to l. If Japan should build her
program projected but not yet
authorized the ratio would be IA to
in favor Of the United tSates. We
will be superior in total ships, de-
stroyers and submarines, but inferior
in battleships and light cruisers.
TABLES SHOW STRENGTH.
1.-THE following tables of naval
strength show that the navies of
Great Britain, japan and the United
States hold the leadership in naval
power
liable 1 shows the total tonnage
in the effective lighting ships as well
as the grand total of all classes I'M
der existing conditions today:
Great Britain-1,5SS,44 2 tons in a
total of 53S ships.
United States-799,19 1913 tons in a
total of $50 ships.
Japan-3234OO tons in a total Of -
ships.
Table 2 shows the tonnage and
number of ships in authorized build
ing programs:
Great Britain-7s,ss0 tons in a total
of SO ships.
United States-S42,1 100 tons in a
total of 100 ships.
Japan-323, AGO tons in a total OF
Al ships.
am the case of Japan 36S,37O tons
of 6S ships are projected and have
been approved by the government. but
so far as is known. no appropriations
have been made for these ships. If
completed Japan would have a total
tonnage Of SOC, $50 with 100 ships.
Table 3 shows the relation that
will exist after the completion of the
authorized and projected building
programs in 1925-27 lin regard to
Japan.
COMPARISON FOR 1898.
From this it is seen that il we
complete our present program and
Great Britain does not further in
crease her building program, and II
Japan completes her projected pro
gram. the ratios and tonnage would
be as follows:
Great Britain $50. 1,665,332
United States 800. 1,617,2S2
Japan ........... 689,656
ITO Japan's total must be added
3sS,27O tons projected for compile
ton for 1927, but not yet authorized
making grand total OF 1,057,s26
tons"
From studies made by experts,
Secretary Daniels said, the class
comparison in 1925 will be as fol-
lows:
Great Britain: (a) In total ships
the United states will be superior In
ratio of 1875 to ! by tonnage. In
numbers approximately equal.
"(b) In destroyers, Great Britain
superior in ratio of 1.0i to 1.
"CC) In light cruisers, Great Brit
ain superior in ratio of az to I.
"(d) In battle cruisers, United
states superior IA to 1 by tonnage.
EQUAL in numbers.
"(e) In submarines. Great Britain
superior Ia to /. It also must be
noted that the United States will be
entirely lacking in aircraft carriers,
estroyer leaders and cruisers of FIRST
line.
with reference to Japan:
"(a) Total ships, United States SUI
pcrior. 20 to I.