The New York herald., 1921-11-21
LESSON FOR AMERICA
New Atago and Takao to Be
Greater Than Any Ship on
u. s. 1916 Schedule.
SPEED WILL BE 80 KNOTS
Experts Not Worrying as to
Naval Aviation. Which Is
Fixed by Fleet Size.

Fixed by Fleet Size.
BY eraser SCHORNSTHEIMER
Special Despatch to THE New YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Nov. go.
1t would seem that Japan intends to
take no chances on the success or
failure of the limitation of armaments
conference. According to the latest
available information the Japanese
were proceeding on their eight-eight
programme at quite the normal rate.
The completion Of the dreadnought
Mutsu and the launching Of the Kaga
brings out the fact that Japan will
not throw away her ships until she is
entirely sure that the other nations
intend to do likewise. And from a
common sense point Of view japan is
entirely right in this respect.
When the final court, the recourse to
arms. is being dealt with it is hard to
see how any nation can afford to weaken
itself. 1t is reported that England has
stopped preparations for laying down
her four new capital ships temporarily.
The United States. according to the latest
available figures from the Bureau OF
Construction and Repair Of our Navy
Department, has reduced the rate OF
construction on most Of our ships to a
few tenths of a per cent. month. But
1t appears that Japan is doing nothing
Of the sort. While the final decisions to
be reached by the nations are still in
doubt, 1t is folly to stop naval construc-
ton. America can take much needed
lesson from Japan in this respect.
1t has been quite definitely reported.
and there have been no denials Of the
report, that Japan intends to lay down
two huge battle cruisers on the slips
vacated by the Kaga, which was
launched few days ago. and the Tosa.
reported to be launched next month.
Materials for New Craft.
This apparently means that one huge
ship will be laid down either next month
or the very early part of next year at
the Kawasaki Companys plant at Kobe
and another at the Mitsubishi Company's
plant at Nagasaki SO soon after the
Tosa is launched as possible. In fact. It
has been said that a great deal Of ma
terial has been assembled at a -'nrds
for these newly reported ships.
Their names will be the Atago and
Takao. II they ever reach the launching
stage. Recently there have been many
reports published about them. most Of
them considering the ships to be
already under way. The fact Is.
however. that they will be COM
menced as indicated above. II Japan
continues on her present course. Also
various reports have been published of
the supposed details of these ships which
are absolutely misleading. While II Is
supposed that they will be very large
ships. 1t is certain that they win not
be so impossibly enormous as has been
said In the various reports.
1t is believed that they will be close
to 900 feet long. having a displacement
close to 1000 tons. In this respect they
largest ships on the American 1918 pro-
gramme, the battle cruisers of the Sara
toga class. They will probably be i'm
provements on the Japanese battle cr,iis-
ers Akagi and Amagi, now under con-
struction.
The main batteries, II Is supposed.
will be of ten 16.inch guns. not eight 1s-
inch as has been reported. Various other
smaller guns will compose the secondary
batteries.
Turbines 70 Furnish Power.
Turbines will generate the power to
drive these ships at n speed of 80 knots.
II has been said the horsepower will be
close to $4,000. The protection is re-
ported as very heavy for battle cruisers,
the compromise being In speed. II they
are ever actually built they will be tre-
mendously powerful ships. probably the
most powerful battle cruisers the world
has ever known.
Rumors about Japan's navy are flying
thick and fast about Washington, most
OF them being entirely silly. Japan has
initiated a large naval programme. Un-
less the conference Is O success she is
going to continue along the lines laid
down. But these lines are sensible lines.
plotted to face fact in naval matters.
Her programmes and ships are sensible
ones. and not impossible fancies of i'm
practicability.
In the matter of her naval aviation. Her
navy Is being built up proportionateiy, 40
all navies should be. No arm is to be
neglected. In the matter OF aircraft
carriers. a set tonnage has been given to
Japan under the Hughes plan. While no
attempt was made to regulate the num-
Der of types of aircraft under the plan.
the number and size OF the aircraft car
riers limits the number and type of
planes and balloons which can be taken
to sea with the feet. And 30 far and no
further can the bugaboo regarding n tro-
mendous Japanese naval aviation force
60. OF course. a few small scouting
or spotting planes can be carried BY a
battleship OF cruiser. but when one con-
by each nation the aircraft side OF the
conference Is materially reduced.
As have pointed out before, tho best
defence Is the hardest offence. There
can be no denying this fact. Tho air
ious fleets. These are OF offensive de-
fensive types. The use Of planes In the
matter of coast defence has not boen
pone into. II comes under the fortifica-
tions section of the agenda, and has
not been dealt with yet. At present we
are entirely concerned with naval mat
ters.
Figures are now available on replace
ments for the Japanese navy. The nrs,
warshsp to be laid down will be started.
under the Hughes plan, In 1929. to re-
place the battleship settsu OF 21,6oe