Evening capital. [volume] (Annapolis, Md.) 1922-1981, 1922-12-07

- III WHAT IL only iOuch2S upon IN
!rief, Official language. the doeumea'
lc1crii IS graphically how the United
States has al andoned its aspiration &c
teoome a dominant sea power ana il
even failing TO maintain properly the
naval forces il already has.
Reveal Impoteney
Together with the report ly Sec
rotary of War Weeks disclosing the
mpotency of the Army, Mr.. Denly
statements reveal that. in the opiD-
ION OF President Hsrdine's adviser,
charged with the national defense. the
United States Is DnpTenared almOs
,0ialiy for emergencies.
Secretary Denly frankly recog-
| nizes the fact that the United State
Navy is inferior and that the neces
| sary measures TO put it on a par with
the lest are not being taken
Gives Real Situation
TIE general situation with refer
ance to The strength of the Navy If
summed up as follows:
I'm the past. owing to the lack OF
a definite naval policy and TO The
more pressing need for building uT
our naval strength in capital ships. i
has leon impossii lie TO maintain
well-rounded navy. feel it any dut,
% report to YOU that in certain type
such as fast cruisers, aircraft car.
riers, seagoing sui marines and air
craft, the navy is deficient
1T is not my intention this year
having in mind the financial Difficult
lies of the country, to make any rec
commentators for an increase in tho
navy. but ! recommend that. as soor
rs conditions warrant, Congress II
asked for such an increase as vii
tend to balance our fleet and make
and keep II the equal OF any in the
world"
Navy Aware OF State
This condition, it is pointed out
does not arise from a failure fy nava
officers TO appreciate the situation
confronting the United States.
"The navy should lie maintained in
sufficient strength to support its pol
icios and its commerce and TO guard
it's continental and overseas posses
sions," Mr.. Denly quotes from the
fundamental policy adopted by the
General Board of the Navy.
And then is quoted this detailed
policy:
ITO give to the public all infor-
nation not incompatible with military
secrecy"
History OF Year
From a discussion of policies. tn
report. supplemented by one from
! ADMIRAL Coontz, chief Of naval opera
/ ions. outlines American naval his
7 tory of the year Among the revela-
tions. are the following:
! Ships-The prevailing popular
opinion that the 5-5-3 ratio APP
( Mics 10 vessels other than capt.
| tai ships is far from correct,
end the navy is still far short of
other powers in light cruisers.
and will still lie short after the
completion of the present building
program" The United States has
and nlans no battle cruisers.
General Training-Owing to in
adequate appropriations for fuel.
it was necessary to abandon plans
for combined maneuvers, at least
one of which each year is essen
| tial to proper training. Both the
! Atlantic and Pacific feets per
| formed only the routine work in
ci6ent TO target practice and en-
gncering competitions"
1 Shortage OF Fuel
Gunnery-The shortage of fuel
has necessarily handicapped the
advance work in gunnery that
might lie desired"
Personnel-Reducti in per-
sonnet have seriously interfered
/ with the operations of the feet.
i end coml ined with the shortage
a ~ R