PROGRESS OF NAVIES

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 140, 10 December 1929, Page 11

PROGRESS OF NAVIES

FRANCE AND SUBMARINES

AMERICAN AIECEAFT

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

eraph—Copyright.

(Eeceived 10th December, S a.m.)

LONDON, 9th December.

The 'Daily Telegraph's" naval correspondent, commenting on the latest edition of Jane's "Fighting Ships," says: "No mystery ships are revealed this year, though rapid progress is shown in certain foreign navies. It is striking that the French navy presents by far the most formidable array of

new vessels. She already possesses ninety-three submarines and many more are projected. Italy has only fifty-five submarines, and some of them are becoming obsolete. No doubt France eventually will become the premier submarine Power in the world.

"No Power is spending so lavishly on battleships and other unite and expansion of naval air forces as the United States. One is puzzled to account for the anxiety which the big navy spokesmen profess in view of the situation. The personnel of the United States Navy exceeds that of the British by several thousands. Moreover, the United States Navy has many more destroyers and submarines than the British. In a few years tho United States will have a thousand serviceable aircraft. Lastly, at least a million and a half sterling each is being spent on bringing ten ships up to date." JAPANESE INGENUITY. Jane's "Fighting Ships" emphasises that new types of vessels are being constructed tending to throw Treaty cruisers into disfavour and minimise the chances of their use ten years hence. Foremost among the new designs is the German Preussen, the most remarkable post-war warship, but there is evidence that the smaller Powers aTe showing remarkable ingenuity of invention, notable in the Japanese cruiser Nachi, the first of her class, with five turrets, each containing two 8-inch guns, six 4.7 in guns amidships and two sets of triple torpedo tubes. Her castlelike bridgework presents a truly menacing appearance, a strange contrast to prim-looking British Kent and London classes. The Nachi also carries aeroplanes and a launching catapult.

Another novel warship is the Japanese net-layer Shirataka, designed to catch submarines. An example of developing in peace time war vessels capable of quick multiplication when needed, the Japanese destroyer Fubuki has gasproof gun-houses instead of open shields, which must ultimately be incorporated in all such vessels.

Other types show that the fetish of speed at the expense of protection is being questioned, notably in the plans of the Italian eruser Zara, while the Banda Nere and her five sisters, instead of being glorified destroyers, will be reduced editions of the Zara, with six-inch guns, able to steam thirtyseven knots with many possibilities of fleet work in the Mediterranean.

The French aircraft tender Commandant Testo has undergone many modifications of armament. Her catapult equipment, like the Australia's Albatros, belongs to a class required as a second line to the larger floating aerodromes.