NAVIES WILL BE LARGER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 202, 15 November 1927, Page 9

NAVIES WILL BE LARGER

Significant Figures Quoted

DISARMAMENT TALK BELIED Hy Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright.

Received 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Monday. 'J’HE Naval correspondent of the “Daily News” writes that, despite the growing demand for disarmament, the Great Powers’ naval budgets are expanding. The year 1928 will witness a marked increase. He supports this by quoting telling figures of projected expenditure.

TT is expected, in regard to Britain, x that new construction will necessitate the building expenditure, £110,723,000 being increased to £120,650,000. The United States Budget in 1927 of £64,650,000 will reach £75,000,000 in 1928 to enable the carrying out of its big cruiser programme. The Japanese Budget of £26,483,000 will increase by £843,200, despite the claim that it is desirous to reduce expenditure. The increase is due to the new programme for four large cruisers, 15 destroyers and four submarines.

France’s programme includes 57 tor-pedo-boats, and 55 submarines. Italy is aiming to command the eastern Mediterranean. Her programme for 1928 covers four cruisers, 12 scouts, six submarines and the developing of bases at Sicily and Sardinia. Germany is building cruisers of exceptionally big fighting power. Russia and Spain are developing submarines, and the navy programmes of Greece, Rumania, Turkey, Yugoslavia, and the South American republics are expanding on a relatively large scale. —Sun.