The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-23
Condition Of Sea Force Disclosed In Answer
 To House Inquiry
SUBMARINE STATUS
 MOST DEPLORABLE
Immediate Action Urged On Recommendations .
 For Improvements
By RAYMOND CHAPTER, tBy Leased Wire to Age.Herald


 WASHINGTON, May 22.-The navy has dropped below the stand . ard allowed under the naval limita- tions treaty, Secretary of the Navy Wilbur reveals in an exhaustive re- port to Congress.
 This report was made. in answer to 27 specific questions contained in resolution offered by Repre- sentative Britten, Illinois, member of the. House naval affairs commit tee. The inquiry was prompted by various rumors and charges that the navy is deteriorating. v .,.: Secretary Wilbur revealed that the ratio of strength between Great Britain, the United States and Japan is 5-4-3 instead of 5-5-3 as allowed under the treaty.
 Needs He states that:
 The submarine situation is deplor- [ able.
 America is third place in the mat ter of naval bases .n the western Pa cific, but first in the eastern Pacific. Total oil supply IS sufficient for slightly over one month under war con Citions.
 Thirteen of the eighteen first-line battleships need extensive alterations to be brought up to date.
 Desired number of vessels cannot be kept in commission on the limited per- sonnel of S6,000 allowed by Congress.
 Recommendations d T At fzl. lowing recommendations
 Construction of eight new light cruisers.
 U slernization of thirteen first-line baftlfships bys raising the gun eleva- lirn and installing anti-aircraft and n siss1bmarine protection.
 Bfilding of three mine-laying sub. ansfifes.
 Conversion of six coal-burning battle. siiiJs to oilers.
 Thee recommendation will be dis by the House naval affairs com Hlifteh Friday. Bills covering most of fteh already are pending. Next We'd fnesdas, bill to authorize the eight crgfsefs, to convert the six battleships, sud 10 construct six river gunboats 3or use in Chinese waters will come up in the House.
 Authorization Probable It is probable that the House will authorize this work, but the time before contemplated adjournment is so short that action by the Senate is doubtful, though possible.
 Important sections of Secretary Will bur's report may be summarized as fol- lows:
 Naval Aviation
 America is on an equality with Great Britain and France in theory and sci ence of aviation. and equal or ahead, of any nation in number of suitable planes, Behind in airplane carriers, but eff ciency of naval aviation as high as in any other navy.
 Oil Supply Limited
 Total oil on hand for six months supply, under peace conditions, but only 10 per cent of a years supply under war conditions. Policy of navy requires reserve storage for 4S,000000 barrels of oil but tankage, for only 4,000, 900 has been constructed.
 BattIeships
 New York, Texas, Florida, Utah, Ar kansas and Wyoming need additional deck. torpedo and mine protection, in- creased elevation of guns and conver- sion to oil burning. New Mexico, Mis- sissippi, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada and Oklahoma need additional torpedo protection andNincreased eleva- tion of guns.
 22 Cruisers, Needed
 United States requires p more to equal Great Britain. Navy is asking for eight at this time.
 DestrOyers
 Far ahead of other powers, though de- stroYer leaders lacking.
 Submarines
 No submarines capable of maneuver- ing wi h fleet. Only three fleet sub marines built are now out of commis- sion Three building which would be fast ough to keep up with fleet De tailed report shows 35 out of commits sion.