Evening star., 1924-05-11
NAVY FALLS BEHIND,
ROOSEVELT ADMITS
Says Status Is Now Below That
of Britain, But Better Than
That of Japan.
FLEET REPAIRS REQUIRED
Comparison Leaves Bases and Mer-
chant Marines Out of Account.

Admission that "a fair comparison
of the present fighting strength in
ships of Great Britain, America and
Japan would appear to be 5-4-3,"
with the American Navy in second
place, is made by Theodore Roose-
velt assistant secretary OF the Navy,
in report to Chairman Butler Of
the House naval affairs committee,
made public yesterday.
The opinion that the American
Navy thus has fallen below an equal
ratio strength with Great Britain. as
provided in the $3.50 formula adopted
under the naval limitation treaty,
was expressed by Mr.. Roosevelt in a
report commenting, at Chairman But
ier's request, on a recent article in
the New York Times by W. B.
Shearer, naval expert. The assertion
in the article that the ratio Of naval
strength between the three powers
is 6-3-1, with the American Navy in
last position, was declared by the
assistant secretary to be greatly
exaggerated"
Varying Ratios in Types.
Mr.. Roosevelt qualified his view
as to the present ralative strength
of the three navies by observing that
lit is difficult to state our exact
strength, due to the varying ratios
in the different types"
The 5-4-3 ratio which he believes
to be fair comparison Of the present
strength, Mr.. Roosevelt said, does
mot take into consideration strategi-
cally located and well equipped naval
bases which add greatly to sea power
of a nation, nor does it take into con-
sideration the relative strength of the
various merchant marines"
M0dernfxatfOn Of Ships.
plans have been prepared" the
report continued, for the complete
modernization Of our battIeships, as
recommended in the annual report
of the Secretary Of the Navy, to cost
$30,o0o,0o0. Authority for moderni-
cation of the six coal-burning battle
ships has been requested of the
present Congress. The department
asked authority Of the present Con-
gress to build eight 1o.ooo-ton light
cruisers, also for funds to build three
mine-laying submarines.
THE Navy is in good shape with
the exception of the above-desig-
mated deficiencies which should be
remedied. The morale Of the per-
sonnel, both commissioned and en-
listed, is high. The appropriate
furnished by Congress are being ap-
piled in such a manner as to obtain
the very best results
Condition of Fleet.
Mr.. Roosevelt in another section
of the report however, conceded that
from the standpoint of upkeep the
feet "is in poor condition" because
Congress has failed to provide funds
to keep it in shape"
THE Atlantic feet is practically
out of commission" he said. "The
recent maneuvers had to be broken
off because the Wyoming (f1agship),
Arkansas, Utah and Florida needed
to undergo repairs. They are tied up
now. Their boilers are in bad shape
and there is no money to do the
work"
AS to the question of operating
bases and oil reserves the report
said:
I'VE have no operating bases In
the Pacific that are adequate. The
Atlantic bases are better, but are not
nearly all adequate. As regards Pc
troleum reserves, we have def
cheney Of IS per cent in the seserve
required in the Pacific. The Allan
ito reserve deficiencies are still