U.S. NAVAL TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1924, Page 1

U.S. NAVAL TOUR.

NEXT YEAR'S AI.ANOEUY.ItES

SAX FRANCISCO, July it.

The San Francisco ••Kxaminer” says that America and Australia will join hands across the sea next year, when the American Navy will launch a great war game in the Pacific. The manoeuvres are characterised hy prominent naval officers as not a demonstration. hut merely a test of flaws in the American Pacific organisation.

One of the important tasks will tie to maintain the integrity of the Panama Canal, and to ensure a continuous oil supply. For these reasons, the fleet will seek an interchange of help and friendly advice with the Merchant Marine. 'I he Atlantic scouting licet will not cruise as tar as Australia. This licet was held at Panama la-t spring because of engine weakness. It was rumoured that many of the finest American ships, though not necessarily the newest, were found unable to steam faster than II knots.

The principal battleship divisions will pass Panama on February I < t.h and o.'iih. The Navy Department will announce a war problem involving these Atlantic vessels against the Pacific Fleet, which will have its base at San Pctlru, California. On April fifth the combined fleets will sail for Hawaii, with instructions tor its lecapturo from the enemy, and for offensive operations alter the Hawaii garrison is relieved.

All the forces will overhaul Hawaii, and on May 3rd the pursuit of the enemy will begin. Through the Pacific I-lauds the forces will engage, until June 7th. when part of the Atlantic Fleet's big ship- will return to San Diego. On July lith the battle fleet will concentrate on Page. Pago, for practice, and for the use of some is la nd its a base, in case the oflensivc operations were opening against the On July 10th the third battleship division, with destroyers, will start for Auckland, the fourth battleship division for Wellington, the filth battleship division for Sydney, and Squadon X,,. ]l for Melbourne. I.ater the third battleship division will leave Auckland for Sydney, the fourth division will go from Wellington to Melbourne, and then till will proceed to .Melbourne, after which the ships will ivlr.ru to Sydney. On August 2oth the entire hat tie fleet will concentrate on Auckland, ready to depart lor Pago Pago, on the first move homeward. September will he .-pent at Honolulu, and the Heel will he hack at California in October. One i f the principal problems connected with the manoeuvres will be in providing tank ships for the fleet and the maintenance of oil supplies. The arrangements will be made to cope with difficulties presented by an ••enemy, and the task will assume giant proportions. Lines of tank ships will extend from Texas and California to Hawaii and Australia.