The Washington times., 1922-11-10
PAC|F:|STS
60 DOWN
IN DEFEAT
Weeks and Moffett Want coun-
try to Keep Ahead In Air
craft Development.
BY JOHN GOLDSTROM,
Universal Service.

Nmscfnai beFttcc'
Dissatisfaction with a Congress
which failed to provide an ade.
quste national defense was seen
today In the election results by
high officials Of the Harding sd'
ministration.
The defeat of q number Of
pacifistic members Is taken as a
warning to the new Congress that
pacifism must not be promoted at
the expense Of national safety.
Plane Carriers Urged.
That the Administration is re.
sponsive to an America awake to
It's reed Of real defense was indi.
Gated by the declaration today OF
Secretary of War Weeks that the
Government proposes to keep ahead
rather than merely abreast OF air
craft development for coast de.
Tense.
At the same time Rear Admiral
Moffett, speaking as chief OF the
, Naval Bureau Of Aeronautics.
urged that the full tonnage Of air.
plane carriers allowed the United
States by the Washington Confer
ence be constructed as soon as
possible.
From other sources 1t was learn.
Cd that the appropriations allowed
by the outgoing Congress permits
the United States to run a poor
third to England and Japan In the
construction Of airplane carriers.
The United States is allowed 1885,.
900 tons. 1t has at present only
the Langley. a converted collier Of
10000 tons. There is no provision
for new construction. The battle
cruisers Lexington and Saratoga.
about $4,000 tons together, are
being converted into airplane car.
riers. but they cannot be completed
before 1925.
England Now Has Three.
England has three completed car
rfers of $4,000 tons each. She is
building three more, and is appro-
priating literally for new aircraft
construction in a determination to
line of defense and offense.
Japan has one newly completed
carrier Of 1900 tons. 1t is rush
ing the construction of two new
ones of $1,000 tons each and is con-
verting two battle cruisers totaling
k33 900 tons. Japan also is appro.
priating heavily for aircraft, spend.
Ing much of which she saves un-
der the Washington conference
agreement.
Secretary Weeks said that the
American army Is banking heavily
on the airplane as an increasingly
important arm of defense. Most
Of the planes now being purchased
are for experimental purposes. he
said The War Department desires
to develop the types best suited
for military employment.
The Secretary said that there can
be no doubt that the airplane must
play a very great part in any d.
Tense of the American coasts, and
the United States to keep ahead
OF the procession rather than to
Just keep pace with 1t.
Best Defense for Coast.
"The air fleet of an enemy will
never get within striking distance
of our coasts so long as our air.
craft carriers are able to carry the
preponderance OF air power to sea.
said Admiral Moffett. on his return
ffom an inspection of the Langley
In Chesapeake bay.
"I have seen planes successfully
take off and land from the Langley,
ana thorough test was made Of the
features of the ship which will
enable our airplane carriers to af.
, ford the maximum of service In air.
craft defense and offense to the
1--WE are working along correct
lines In the development Of the car.
rier, All developments incorporated
In the Langley have been evolved
By American talent, and represent
the most advanced thought and