The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-12-10
CRUISER STRENGTH
OuTsTRIPPED

Ihe u. >, navy ~ outAtfippcd In
cruiser strength by both the two
other major naval powers signaiory
10 the Washington naval diaarma.
meni treaty. Great Britain and ia.
pan. DENLY pointed out. The dis.
parity between the British and
American fleets In this respect Is 30
great that we cannot hope 10 bring
about anything approaching an
equality with Great Britain for many
years. he said.
Construction OF three cruiser.sub.
marines also was recommended by
DENLY. in order partly 10 meet the
deficiency OF the American fleet in
this type Of vessel DENLY warned
that large submarine tonnage il be.
lng laid down abroad AZ present one
power is building or planning 10 build
81 submarines. q OF which arc 10 be
over 1000 tons. capable Of long dis.
lance cruising. In addition 90 these
II more submarines were completed
in 1922 and 1898 by the same POWER
The sum OF ta0.ooo.ooo was asked
by DENLY for tho complete modern.
ixa,ion Of the haiticshsps OF the
United States. This amount includes
ts.so0.oo already appropriated by
congress for tho purpose OF inrrcas.
Ing the elevation OF tho turrci gums
OF IL OF the navy'a hattleships. work
which never was begun because OF
a controversy involving Great Britain
rs 10 whether the gun elevations
would violate the naval disarmament
treaty.
DENLY declared In his report. how.
ever. that IN tho opinion OF the navy
department this program will not In
any way contravenc the spirit or let.
ter OF the treaty" He said the mat.
ter again will be brought 10 the at.
tention Of congress and the work
proceeded with unless congress takes
adverse action. DENLY declared that
In case OF hostIlliIca the present dis.
parity between the range OF the guns
OF the British and American fleets
would automatically reduce the sire
OF our fleet by onc.third'
WANTS PARITY OF
TREATY TOTAL
Tho secretaryfs recommendations
were designed principally to bring
American naval strength 10 "a parity
with that OF Great Britain and Japan
under the Washington disarmament
treaty and nil were In harmony with
the limitations Of the treaty. He also
recommended appropriation Of $3.50.
900 20 begin construction OF three
submarines authorized by tho naval
building program Of 1916.
A five yenr nifplanc building pro.
gram has been laid down by tho navy
department. DENLY said. II this Ia
approved by congress and supported
by the necessary appropriations. sui.
ficient aircraft will be provided TO
serve the fleet. he added.
In accordance with the disarrnn.
ment treaty. 81 battleships and bat.
tic cruisers are 10 be sold and scrap.
ped. Denby's report stated. No new
construction OF these classes OF fight.
ing ships were recommended by
DENLY because OF the prohibition
placed upon them by the naval
treaty.
DENLY asked for six new gun.
boats for use in the Yangtse river
patrol in China, here chaotic condi.
tons threaten American commerce
and business.
THE work done by the navy for
humanity during the past year would
Justify Its existence. even tho II nev.
er fires another shot in war" DENLY
declared. practically praising the re-
lief work OF the American navy dur.
ing the japanese earthquake dis.
ter