Evening star., 1924-05-23
U. S. NAVY SECOND,
WILBUR DECLARES
Secretary Tells House Committee
Ratio Is 5.4-3, With Britain
First, japan Last.
CITES NEED OF NEW CRAFT
Goes Thoroughly Into Steps to In
crease Strength.

The American Navy is given second
place in fighting strength as com
rared with those of Great Britain
and Japan IN an analysis submitted
10 The House naval committee by Sec
rctary Wilbur.
Instead of the 5-5-3 ratio fixed by
the Washington arms conference, he
said, the present ratio, not consider
ing "strategically located and well
equipped naval bases" is 54-3, with
The sea forces of Great Britain, the
United States and Japan ranking in
the order named.
The report, made in response to a
resolution of inquiry by Representa-
i've Britten of Illinois, ranking Re
publican of the committee, sets forth
Il number of recommendations for
congressional action looking to the
strengthening of the Navy through
moderni7ation and new construction.
1t also shows the United States least
active among the three nations in
most branches of permitted construc-
ton now in progress, although in the
case of deStroyerS this government
is building none, because it ranks
1irst with respect to such vessels.
Deny Shearer Estimate.
reiteration of observations made re-
GENTLY by Assistant Secretary Roose
velt in a letter to Chairman Butler
OF the committee commenting on
statements of w. B. Shearer, naval
expert, that the actual ratio is 5-3-1,
with America /.
Mr.. Wilbur urged that Congress au-
thorize the modernization of thirteen
hattleships- New York, Texas.
Florida. Utah, Arkansas and Wyo-
ming-to provide additional deck
torpedo and mine protection, for oil
instead of coal burners and for some
increased elevation of guns" and the
New Mexico, Mississippi. Idaho, Penn
sylvania, Arizona, Nevada and Okla
home. to increase the angle of ele-
ration of guns and to afford addi-
1ional torpedo protection. He also
urged that funds be provided for
construction of eight fast cruisers.
Others Building Ships.
The report pointed out that Great
Eritain is building two battleships
md the United States and Japan
none; that Great Britain is construct
ing nine cruisers. Japan twelve
France five and the United States
two: that Japan is building twenty
seven destroyerS. France TIVE four
Great Britain four and the United
states none: that Japan has thirty
>"ven submarines under construction
France twenty-three. the United
states eleven and Great Britain six;
and that England is building three
aircraft carriers. the United States
and Japan two and France one.
AS to submarines. he said the
American Navy has none capable of
inaneuvering with the fleet at bat
lie speed nor at the usual fleet crus-
ing speed under all conditions of sea
and weather.
I'VE have nearly completed the VI
and which will be able to keep up
with the fleet" said the report. "Our
submarines for the purpose for which
rney are designed are not obsolete
before their construction is completed
With the exception of the T class
they are not designed for maneuver-
ing with the fleet, and within the
limits of the purpose for which they
were designed are reasonably eff
cient and reliable"
The naval Secretary said that the
construction of the following non-