NAVAL GUN ELEVATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1923, Page 1

NAVAL GUN ELEVATIONS

AMERICAN DEPARTMENT WRONG CURIOUS OFFICIAL MISTAKE. Much interest was recently aroused by the admission of Mr Secretary Hughes, of the U.S. Government, that he had incorrectly stated (on official information from the American Navy Department) that Great Britain was increasing the elevation of the guns or capital ships retained under the AVnsnington agreement. Files of American newspapers have come to hand giving Mr Hughes’s correction and the basis of his original allegation. in reply to Mr Hughes’s assertion, the British Government in March formally denied that elevation of guns

mi British ships had been increased , since the Washington Conference. In consequence Secretary Hughes gave , out this statement:—“ln my speech at New Haven on December 29, 1922, , I made the following statement with ; respect to alterations in the British < capital ships: ‘The result is that in s considerable number of British ships bulges have been fitted, elevation of turret guns increased, and turret loading arrangements modified to conform to increased elevation.’ In making this t statement I relied on specific informa- ; Uon which had been furnished me by s the Navy Department, and, which, of c course, the Navy Department believed I to be entirely- trustworthy'. i

"The Department of State lias been advised by the British Government categorically ‘that no alteration lias been made in the elevation of the turret guns of any British capital ship? since they were first placed in commission,’ and further, ‘that no additional deck protection lias been provided’ since February <>, 1922. the date ot the \A ashington treaty. "It gives me pleasure to make this correction, as it is desired that there should lie no public misapprehension.” Secretary Pen by was tlm first- to give publicity to the statement which now Droves erroneous, and the Xavy Department furnished the State Department wish the alleged details ochanges made by Great Britain in el •- vation of battleship guns. In testifying before the I louse Xaval Affairs Committee, Secretary Denby, speaking in support of his argument for 99,009,0(10 dollars to modernise (he American navy ami place it. on a parity with Great Britain, asserted that Great Britain had elevated her gurn since the treaty to 30 degrees, while American guns'were at Jo degrees, XO ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE CONGRESS. It is explained at the Xavy Department that no attempt had been made to deceive Congress to obtain an appropriation to modernise the ntivv and Unit as soon as the department learned ol its error, the Chairmen of the Xaval Affairs Committees were not! lied. Officials at the Xavy Department said that while the corrected figures showed that Great Britain had not c'ovated the guns of the capital ships •sine e the Armament Conference, vet the range of her navy was superior. Corrected information shows that Groat Britain has one ship with a gun range of If 1.1)1 If) yards. The United States has live battleships with a gun range of 30,01);) yards, and 13 ships i' hose gun range is 21,000 yards. One ilficia! said: —"The layman must grasp dint the battle range is the range of die ship with the lowest range. Tn ither words, Great Britain with 21 ■hips with a range of 21,000 yards, md the United States with 13 ships vitli a gun range of 21,000, has a sulerior ligliiing ability of 3000 yards."