San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-05

Copyright, 1924.
Tokyo, March 5.-Plans are beins
made for one of the largest demon
strations in the history of the Japan
csc navy next October when the com
bined fleets will stage the first annua
naval maneuvers held in the past three
years. The maneuvers were abandonet
in 1922 on account of the Washington
conference. while the September disas-
ter made it necessary to cancel the
demonstration in 1923 as an economy
measure.
With a view to stimulating the mar
tial spirit of the navy forces and at
the same time test the effectiveness
Of the new devices adopted since the
World War, the navy authorities have
decided TO carry out an unusually COM
prehensive program. The sum OF D.
100000 yen (S2J0.000.0OOl is re-
ported to have been asked for this pur-
pose.
More than one hundred warships
and other craft are to take part IN the
maneuvers, including the ships at
tached to the three main naval sta
lions at Yokosuka. Kure and Sastbe,
as well as the secondary stations. In
eluded also will be two naval airships
about 10 airplanes attached to the
naval station corps at Oppama, Has
umigaura. Sasebo and Omura; several
new submarines, mine sweepers, air
plane carriers and other minor craft.
To Stage Mimic Battles.
-k-.1l.r, 70
anticipated during the demonstration,
Including several mimic battles both
m the water and in the air. a general
plan of operations is now being drafted
b. experts of the naval board Of COM
BssRd. according to reports. 1t is said
that the arena of the demonstration
will cover an extensive expanse OF
water, ranging from a strategic point
in the Southern Pacific TO the south
srn sea of kyushu and the sea out
side Tokyo bay. The operations. it is
: said. will include all those which an
invading force might use in an attack
i, upon Japan. and the combined forces
: will be devided into equal groups of
; invaders and defenders" of the
: empire.
1t is reported that the maneuvers
VII NC dNfllNu 4hAV pNA AOAo
that in the third period the most in
: staged. including practical tests of the
: l6-inch guns, bomb dropping by the
aerial forces, torpedo attacks and
! other thrilling scenes. The battleships
! Aki and Satsuma, which are due TO
De strapped in accordance with the
Washington Naval pact. have been set
! aside as targets and will be destroyed
during the demonstration.
!. The prince regent, in his capacity
: as commander of the navy, will attend
and review the maneuvers. accom-
panied by high court officials and
I naval experts. Commanders and staff
I officers for the big demonstration will
pc appointed about the middle of Sep
: TENDER. it has been announced. At the
elose of the maneuvers a grand naval
review will be held on October II in
Tokyo Bay off the coast of Yoko-
hama. with the prince regent as the re-
!. viewing officer.
; The first period of scrapping war;
y ships in accordance with the Wash
ngton pact ends on February 16, ac-
! eording to a statement issued by the
! navy department. BY that time Japan
will have carried out that part of the
! agreement to the letter. according to
! naval experts. During the recent trip
4 70 Iokosuka to view the damage done
/. BY the September disaster. the writer
! had first hand glimpse of the scrap
. ping operations under way and can
{ say with authority that Japan has not
: been Sinking her duty in regard to
: the scrapping program.
: Ships Being DismantIed.
!. To date the turret and coming
!, tower of the coast defense ship Asah
have been removed and her steel armor
is being dismantled to convert the YES
! sci into non-fighting craft. The
> Mikasa. famous flagship of Admiral
( Togo during the memorable battle of
! the Sea of Japan in May 1905, which
: was badly damaged when she went
aground during the September earth
!. quakes. is being stripped of her turret
zand engines in the process of scrap
2 ping. The turret, tunnels and main
boilers Of the battleship Aki are also