The Washington times., 1937-12-16
NIPPON TENSION
SPURS PLAN FOR
HUGE U. S. Navy
President to Ask For
Worlds Largest Force
BY THEODORE A. HUNTLEY

ny 1nENHOnG A' HON \ LIZ -
With Washington startled at
the continuance OF aggressive Jap,
anese policies, which eliminated
in the sinking of the q. S. s.
Panay, it was learned today that
President Roosevelt shortly will
ask Congress to build the biggest
navy in the world.
More forceful than diplomatic
notes, however strong, and more
potent than complaints, a new
Navy program is being prepared.
This program will, in effect, be
the answe- of the United States
to the bombing of the Panay, and
the persistence Of Japan in gen.
orally disregarding the rights OF
foreigners, including Americans in
the trouble zone in China.
CONGRESS IN ACCORD
Coincidentally, it was stated
authoritatively that whatever the
President recommends in the way
of naval construction will go
through Congress like a shot.
This precludes any obstruction in
the legislature to the pending
estimates of the Army and Navy
for increases in their regular ap-
propriationS designed to give the
present ablishmentS maximum
fighting efficiency.
Intensive study Of the national
defense, particularly in the Pacific
zone, IS being made at the White
House, and the Navy and War De
partments. Out of this study OBJ
servers believe, will come a mes
sage to Congress from the Presi'
dent at the current special session.
In view Of the fact that the
President had previously indicated
that he would have no further
message for Congress at the spe-
cial session, the present inclina-
ton to send a message on the
Navy can be taken as an indica-
ton of the seriousness with which
the Administration views the Sino-
Japanese imbroglio and its effect
on foreigners and their interests
in China.
LIGHT CLASSES FAVORED
Naval experts today were Of the
opinion that should the President
ask for congressional action on
the naval situation he would ask
particularly for additional subma.
rtnes, more deStroyerS and prob
ably a few more cruisers.
In these classes the United
States is rated behind Japan and
a concentration of naval building
in these groups would be consid-
cred as an indirect, but forceful
warning to the empire.
This country has, in the blue
print stage, two first line battle
ships and there is a probability
that the President will ask that
two more be authorized and that
work on the first two be speeded.
This would leave the United States
far in advance Of Japan in this
firSt-line classification, Japan at
present having nine and the
United States IS.
STRENGTHEN SHORE FORTS
In addition to strengthening the
Navy afloat, the Administration is
said to be contemplating a general
strengthening of the shore estab-
lishments along the Pacific and in
the island possessions.
This program might we'll be ex-
tended to include a naval base and
air base on the Aleutian Islands
off the coast of Alaska. Recent de-
velopment of flying, according to
air experts. has made such a base
almost imperative to the proper
defense of American possessions in
the Pacific.
Both the Army and the Navy
have asked for enlarged budgets
for the coming year. The total
would be above the billion dollar
mark. It Is likely that should the
Japanese situation remain acute
much of the money provided in
that appropriation bill would be
made Immediately available" in
stead Of being held up for expendi.
ture after next June 80.