Evening star., 1934-07-23
More Ships and Planes.

BY an unpremeditated but inter-
esting coincidence the week end
brought forth two announcements OF
paramount importance for national
defense. Speaking to the crew OF
U. S. S. Houston in mid. Pacific,
President Roosevelt pledged the com
pletion of a full treaty Navy for the
United States lin three or four years"
In Its report on military aviation.
the special board of inquiry headed
by Newton d. Baker recommended the
immediate completion OF n program
calling for 2,32O alrplanes for the
Army Air Corps. Expressing the view
that "the next great war" will start
with engagements between opposing
air forces, the former Secretary Of
War and his colleagues call upon Con-
gress to provide funds necessary to
bring to fun peaee-time strength every
phase Of Air Corps activity. equip
ment. personnel and morale. Between
the Budget Bureau and Congress, the
report suggests, lies responsibility In
the past for failing TO make adequate
appropriations ito meet the Army
requirements OF national defense"
President Roosevelts promise of q
treaty Navy at the end of not more
than four years means that ii will be
completed two or three years in ad-
vance OF the year 1912. by which time
the Vinson act, passed by the late
Congress, provided that the requisite
total of l02 ships should be added to
the fleet. To carry out the plan an
nounced by the President it will only
require starting more ships each year
than was contemplated by the original
measure. This is expected TO result
in handing over many contracts TO
private builders, as the Nays own
yards are fairly well fled with keels
already laid or provided for in the
near future. Thus the treaty Navy
project will confer a boon upon in
dustry and afford substantial new sup
port for the recovery movement. From
every NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. economy
as well as national defense-the Presi-
dents announcement is altogether
gratifying.
The Vinson act calls for eonstruc-
ton OF l,l84 airplanes for the Navy,
TO maintain aviation strength parallel
with treaty power~in warships Con-
struction of 225 planes has been con-
templated as the FIRST years quota,
but II the shipbuilding program is
speeded up along lines suggested by
the President, the Nays airplane
program will presumably also be ac-
celebrated.
The United States new naval and
aviation plans are fully justified by
current developments abroad. Great
Britain is by way of extensively aug
menting her air power. Italy and
France project new battleships. Ger
manyS ambitions for both sea power
and q great air feet have all Europe
guessing and disturbed. Japan's de-
termination TO achieve naval parity
with Britain and America is appar-
entity infiexible.
Marshal Petaln of France said on
Sunday that "the next war viii burst
like a clap Of thunder" Uncle Sam
has a solemn obligation to see that
it does not detonate upon an un-
ready or underprepared United States,
on land, on sea. or in the air.
| At no period since the close of the
! World War have international condi-
tons been so full Of explosive posi-
bilities. The American people are
still preoccupied with grave domestic
economic problems. but none Of them
is or ever can be more pressing than
+ the enduring requirements of national
defense. That is why President
RooSevelt's Navy plans are welcome
and why the Baker boards Army
air recommendations deserve the
country's approval.