The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-02-07

head of the modern fleet just as the battleship was 25 years ago." For restal told the President.
 But just as the battleship had to have fleet complements and auxil- iarieS so the carrier the modern cutting edge of the Navy must have its auxiliaries: the fast battleships, the modern cruisers, the long-range destroyers, the submar- ines and all the vast complex of auxiliary vessels that constitute a truly effective Navy"
 ForreStal disclosed that U. s. Pa- cific and Atlantic active fleets will be built around a total of l3 large carriers, augmented by 13 escort carriers. and only four battleships. The carriers will have 3,627 planes.
 To Keep Big Reserve
 Tn addition. Forrestal said, the Navy will retain l8 more carriers, 62 escort carriers and seven battle ships in its ready reserve fleet. The balance of the wartime force will be placed in the Nays so-called "laid-up" reserve fleet.
 If at any time world conditions require an increase in the naval strength of the United States, ves- sells can be withdrawn from the re- serve fleets and added to the active fleets." Forrestal said.
 The nation, therefore, will be able, if it is willing to do so, to keep its naval strength in realistic rela- ton to its international commit ments.
 Americas ability to win wars and to preserve peace encompasses the seas and the skies above them.
 Control of those seas and skies is the responsibility of a modern sea-air Navy"
 Naval Power Key to Security
 The secretary added that naval power is the key to our security and to our ability to reach out any where in the world to help stop ag- greSsion."
 Forrestal outlined the mission of U. s. armed forces during the im- mediate postwar future as:
 1. Enforcing the terms of peace on our enemies.
 2. Fulfilling our military com mitments under the United Ma tions Organization.
 3. Collaborating in preserving the integrity of the western hemi- sphere.
 {. Providing for the security of the United States.
 Tn ali these activities, Forrestal said, the Navy will have a vital part. He added that as of Dec. 1. the Navy had e06 ships, l,75O planes. and 2i3.3G8 officers and men helping to enforce peace terms on Japan.
 Forrestal also outlined the Nayy's activities from July l, l94O, through June 90. i945.
 Saved In Production
 During the fiye-year period. For restal said the Navy spent 500. 300. . O00, 900 for war materials. He added that Congressional appropriations for the Navy totalled sii0. 800 .000. 900.
 Here is 8 condensed picture of Navy activities during the period as outlined in his report:
 Navy personnel peak enlisted strength reached 2,988.00 on June 30, le45. Officer strength on the same date stood at 3i7.000. The peaeetime force, as enyisaged by the Navy. will have 800, 600 enlisted men and 5000 regular officers. off eers and men in all branches of the service repeatedly demonstrated their quality to the enemy"
 Marine Corps-Expanded from 2s.O00 to 47T.000 personnel 'Festi- mony of Marine Corps success in battle is ordered by an unbroken sequence of victories"
 Coast duard-Expanded from l3,- 800 to i7i,200 personnel including women, The Coast Guard played an important wartime role in cons voy and patrol work. manning of Army and Navy vessels. tee opera tions, port security. aircraft patrol and amphibious operations"
 DemobiliEatlon-''pT0gram is falne- tloning with an efficiency which should preclude any breakdown or difficulty"
 Naval shipyards and hases-ss. tablishment increased from Q pFe- war value of eTb0. .000. 900 to today's investment of about ei2,000, ,O0O. 900,
 Navy yards and bases represent an account 26 percent larger than the combined value of installations of General Motors, U. 6. Steel and the American Telephone and Tele- graph Co.
 ehlps-when the war ended, the United States had a fleet of 60,7S0 vessels displaelng is.b00.O00 tons compared with I,0e0 vessels totalllng i.D00,O00 tons before the war. Through June. iotb, the Navy Lost 2.022 ships weighing oie.00O tons, Vessels leased to Allied powers tot alled 6.s29 ehips aegregating i.052,- o00 tons and ranging in size from