Evening star., 1949-08-09
Writer Says Johnson 4! ),
> -
Has Ordered the Navy
Virtually Cut in Half
Only Four Major Glass
Carriers to Be Operated
Under New Fiscal Plans
Bv Davfd Laprence

secretary OF De1enSe LOUIS
johnson has ordered the United
States Navy virtually cut in half
to a size smaller than the pre-
war japanese Navy. Actually the
naval air arm is to be cut by SO
per cent.
Only four of the major size
aircraft carriers-two for each
ocean-are to be maintained under
the plans for the fiscal year begin
ming next July. This means that
there would be only one CARVER
task force for naval operations
in the seven seas, because at least
four carriers are necessary for a
task force. 49,.
But this doesn't mean economy
The same money-and perhaps
more-is to be devoted to the
United States Air Force, for which
service Secretary Johnson has
shown a distinct leaning as
against the other armed services.
Orders have been quietly issued
by the Secretary of Defense to
begin planning next years budget
on the basis of a so per cent cut
In the Navy's air arm and a re-
duction in other naval compo-
nents. The damage to the morale
Of the Navy, however, will be done
this year as word gets out that
the United States has virtually
abandoned carrier aviation after
1t had enabled this country to
sweep 5000 miles across the Pa
cific to win an unprecedented VIC
tory. $500. a.,
Details Of Directive
Although the new uniflcatlon
law contains certain Safeguards"
forbidding the Secretary of De-
fense from altering the missions
of the Navy or the other armed
services. Mr.. Johnson, by the SIM
pie device of cutting its budget.
will now completely alter those
same missions so far as the Navy
is concerned. Here are the details
of the new directive as revealed
today in ~. S. News and World
Report:
/. Carriers Of the major types
to be cut from 8 to 4.
2. Carrier air groups to be cut
from IA to 6.
8. Smaller carriers to be cut
from 10 to 8.
4. Marine Corps aviation squad
rons to be cut from % to IL.
S. Anti-submarine air squad
rons to be cut from 8 to T.
6. Patrol squadrons to be cut
from 30 to 20.
Z. Cruisers to be cut from l8 to
i2.
8. Destroyers to be cut from 1872
to 14o.
9. Submarines to be cut from
so to 70.
This represents about a so per
cent cut overall Many of the
reductions are below what the
Navy considers the safe point. It
is reported that even Gen.
Eisenhower did not go along with
all these recommendations and
felt that the Navy was cutting
tpo much .-s-'1::s-3 .'',t- -
: The cuts, of course, are part. of
a new plan of 7strategy-that is.
to rely on strategic bombers to win
the next war and to take chance
on keeping the sea lanes OPEN.
This might be all right II the
enemy didn't have any land-based
long range bombers or submarines
TO blast American ships as they
try to carry fuel and supplies to
European bases. Without suffl-
cient fighter planes as means Of
protecting itself against enemy
bombers and submarines, the
United States Navy will be as pow
erless as it was at Pearl Harbor
In 194l.
Maginot Line Thinking.
The new concept resembles
closely the thinking of the French
general staff which relied on the
Maginot Line and the German
general staff which relied on the
Siegfried Line. 1t provides for no
unexpected contingencies. 1t as
sumes the next war will be fought
in only one way and by ont armed
service-a land-based air force.
Actually today there are only
about 131 planes or about four
groups of very heavy bombers
which can bomb European targets
from American shores. The, other
bombers and fighters of the
United States Air Force must be
flown from advanced bases over
seas and are. therefore, dependent
for their effective operation on
sea lanes being kept open.
The British Navy. which has
been cut down on the theory that
the United States Navy would
take care of its defense problems.
will have to ask for more money
now. and doubtless the new Euro
pean arms plan discussion WILL
include that subject. --.--
The new orders to cut the Navy
explain now not only why the
large carrier United States was
Cancelled but why Gems. Brad
ley and Vandenberg voted against
modernizing the existing carriers.
They felt the money should not
be spent for fleet that was 60
ing Into moth balls, anyway. AS
q matter of fact, 80 far as fight
ing strength Is concerned, the
whole Navy appears to be destined
for moth balls. For without at
least task force Of four carriers
in each ocean, the Navy becomes
O freight line that can't protect
itself or its conveys against enemy
submarines or long-range bombers.
Brakes Refined
While You Wait
eI