The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-07-29
Japan Speeds To Treaty Navy While
United States And Great Britain Lag
By ALEXANDER r. GEORGE
nv Asso"Iafed PreSsl

,Hy Associated Pressl
WASHINGTON. July 29.-The
battle fleets of the United States
will be 1O1 ships and 100000 tons
below treaty strength at the end
of 1886, despite the bolstering of
American naval power by the adj
dition of 80 vessels costing $685.
000,O under the public works
program.
That is the outlook based on
consideration of the number of
older ships remaining effective
for service. plus the tonnage now
scheduled for construction.
Japan Up To Maximum
On the basis of ships already
built and those projected, Japan
will be up to maximum strength
while Great Britain will be short
Sd ships and 10000 tons when
the London naval treaty expires
on December 81, 1886. Japan.
in fact. will have an indicated sur
plus tonnage of 1887.
The ratio of the "big three" sea
powers would be 9.9-9.4-7.7 in
stead of the 5-5-3 prescribed by
the treaty. say naval experts.
There is prevalent opinion that
Japan will renew her demands for
a parity or a 1929 ratio at the
naval arms limitation conference
slated under terms of the London
treaty to be held in 1885.
American naval leaders so far
have indicated they would insist
on retention of the 5-5-3 ratio for
the three Ipowers Secretary
Swanson has said it was his opin-
ion that the ratios stipulated by
the Washington and London treat
les "are fair and jast and should
be maintained.
Former Secretary Adams said
shortly before his retirement that
nothing had happened in recent
years to justify the United States
lowering its treaty ratiol with re-
spect either to Great Britain or
Iapall. KS
Representative Vinson 7of Geor-I
gia, chairman of the house naval
committee. takes the position that
the navy, because of economy, is
already on defensive basis and
that building it up to treaty li2its
simply would give this country
the defense to which it is entitled.
Naval experts here say that,
practically speaking. at the pres
ent time the United States ranks
third in sea power. Japan as we'll
as Great Britain having consider
ably more modern ships in fight
ing trim.
Counting ships already built
and those projected, Japan will
have in 1886 a total of 1873 war
vessels of combat age. Great Brit
tain viii have Isl and the United
States, los. Japan, it is indi-
Gated. will have marked superior
ity over this country in number of
ships and in tonnage in the sub
marine. destroyer and light cruis-
er classifications.
Many Japanese Submarines
Japanese submarines will num-
Der So as compared with "a in
Uncle Sans navy and SO in John
Bulls sea forces. Japan will have
50 destrovers not exceeding 1900
tons, the United States win have
eight and Great Britain none.
Great Britain viii lead in the
light cruiser field with 81. japan
will be close second with 90 and
the United States will have IL.
This country will top the list in
the S-inch gun cruiser class with
Is. Great Britain will have Is and
Japan. 12.
The United States and Great
Britain will have 15 capital ships
each, tbattie ships and battle
cruisersl and Japan will have
nine. Seven of the American
capital ships, II of the British and
four of the Japanese viii be more
than 90 years old in 1896,
The navies of Great Britain and
Japan will have six airplane car
rierS each while the United States
will have five. American carrier
tonnage. however, viii exceed that
OF either of the other countries.