AMERICAN NAVY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14889, 31 January 1914, Page 12

AMERICAN NAVY.

MUST BE EQUAL TO JAPAN'S. !, 'ADMIRAL VRI3S_AND'S VIEWS. {By Cable.—Preaa Association.—Copyright.) W-iSHLNGTON, January 29. I Bear-Admiral Vreeland confidentially with the House Committee . >'_n Naval Affairs. It is reported that Admiral Vreeland urged upon the Committee the absolute necessity of the United States keeping pace with the Japanese shipbuilding programmes. He explained the comparative ease with which Japan could secure the Philippines and Hawaii in tbe event of an outbreak of war, which made a strong > United States fleet imperative. Ho ' considered that Alaska was safe from Japanese attack, giving reasons which the Committee fiidered to be suppressed in its report. / Admiral Vreeland declared that if Japan ever struck a blow, it would be a swift and damaging one. Ho did not i doubt, however, that the United States wouid win if war occurred. He admitted that he was unable to secure definite information regarding the actuai building programme of Japan, but ho knew that Japan was spending every available sum on battleships, and auxiliary craft were being bought. If Japan once equalled the United States in naval strength, the country would be sure to receive a demand for the aboli- . tion of the anti-alien law.