LARGEST NAVY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 127, 22 February 1921, Page 5

LARGEST NAVY

AMERICAN PREPONDERANCE ASSURED BY COMPLETION OF 1916 PROGRAMME ®y Telegraph-Press AsßOclation-Oopyrlgh* London, February 19. The Naval correspondent of “The Times” gives an important analysis of the effect on American shipbuilding of the Congress amendment limiting expenditure to warships under construction. Ho disputes the present idea that this applies to capital ships of the 1916 programme, and says that tho keels of all six battleships are in position, thus assuring an American preponderance in ships of the latest and most powerful, type. Indeed, unless Britain undertakes' immediate big-ship construction, America’s 1916 programme will give her incomparably the biggest navy in the world. The first four battleships already are far advanced, and reliable information hero is that work on the remaining six battleships and six battle-cruisers is proceeding in full swing. All will be completed in 1921, and then America will have twelve post-Jutland capital ships, whilst the only comparable vessel in Britain’s Navy will be the Hood. The reduction of America’s personnel leaves the following figures:—America, 131,751; Britain, 131,160. The correspondent does not, suggest that there will bo a decision on the naval policy until the June Conference, but significantly remarks that there is a vast difference between pre-Jutland ships. Indeed, it is argued that the difference is similar to that between Dreadnoughts andi pre-Dreadnoughts. It is calculated that America will have 285 destroyers, and Britain 193, but Britain will have 105 modern submarines, and America 94.—“ The Times." IMPORTANCE OF SURFACE SHIPS. London, February 19. Von Tirpitz, writing in the German “Gazette,” says that America in tho next world war expects surface ships' to retain their importance with improved pro lection for the submerged parts; submarines remaining as adjuncts, but of in creasing importance.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.