Evening star., 1941-12-07
Strong Naval Forces
For Two Oceans Vital
To u. s., Knox Says
Report to President Cites
Danger Of Combination
Of Hostile Powers
By CLAUDE A. MAHONEY.

BY CLAUDE A. MAHONEY.
Anything less than naval strength
that will permit complete freedom
of action in one ocean and still
leave sufficient protective forces IN
the other, is hazardous TO the Sc
curity of the Nation Secretary OF
the Navy Knox told President
Roosevelt yesterday in his annual
report.
The international situation. the
Secretary said, is such that the
United States must arm As rapidly
as possible to meet our naval de-
fense requirements simultaneously
In both oceans against any pos
sible combination OF powers con-
certing action against us,
The American Navy is second to
no one other Navy, he said, but
warned against the danger OF a
combination of powers.
The report, for the fiscal year
1s4l. expressed satisfaction with the
expansion program OF ships, planes
and men. Because the period ended
July |, before enlistments dropped
sharply as result of casualties in
the Atlantic. the enlistment pro-
gram was described as satisfactory
Among the accomplishments cited
by Secretary Knox was the COM
missioning OF 325 new ships. &C
QUESTION of 2059 new airplanes and
net personnel increases of 1928
officers and 100.282 men The be-
ginning of the chain OF bases that
will extend far into both aceans
also was pointed out.
Developing Maximum Strength.
Secretary Knox said the employ
ment Of naval forces during the
year had been done with the follow
ing supplemental policies in mind
To develop the Navy to a maxi
mum in fighting strength and ability
10 control the seas in defense OF the
Nation and its interests.
To make effectiveness in war the
objective OF all development ano
training.
To organize and maintain the
Navy for major operations in both
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans"
The year witnessed the virtual
transition OF the Nation from a
peacetime TO a wartime footing. with
tremendous industrial expansion for
production Of war material" the
report said.
The record Of 2.o5e planes was in
contrast to the 306 added In the
previous year. the Secretary pointed
out. The additions gave the Navy
an increase Of 80 per cent In plane
strength. Aircraft emphasis during
the wear was placed on dive bomber
and fighter types with greater engine
power and improved propeller de-
sign. An effort was made also.
Mr.. Knox said. to enlarge the COM
plement of patrol bomber types.
Parachute Troops Introduced.
Both parachute troop and glider
programs, long the basis for con-
tention. were introduced during the
year. Pilot personnel was increased
48 per cent.
The report stressed the devel-
opment Of naval air stations to q
point where operations were possible
at II continental and Is island and
overseas bases.
The location Of the Atlantic bases
make them Of the greatest strategic
Importance" Secretary Knox wrote
He added: Tn the Pacific the stra-
tegtc importance of the air bases
in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands
together with the development OF
the islands guarding the approaches
to the Navy's defenses in the Ha-
waiian area with the resultant safe
ty OF the Pacific Coast, are obvious.
The report also reviewed housing
OF personnel, training and morale
and health. The morale and health
Secretary Knox said, are excel.
lent"
In the lone catastrophe" of the
year. 2 officers and 81 enlisted mer
were lost In the sinking of the sub
marine 90 on June 20,