AMERICAN NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 182, 31 January 1914, Page 5

AMERICAN NAVY.

INCREASE NEEDED. TO KEEP PACE WITH JAI'AN. By Cable—Press Association —Copy rig'it Washington, January 29. Rear-Admiral Vreeland confidentially conferred with the House Committee on Naval Affairs. It is reported that Admiral Vreeland urged upon the committee the absolute necessity of the United States keeping apace with the Japanese shipbuilding programme. Admiral Vreeland pointed out that the comparative case with which J-apan could secure the Philippines and H waii in the event of an outbreak of war nr.'de -a strong United States fleet imperative. Admiral Vreeland considered Alaska safe from Japanese attack, giving reasons which the committee ordered to be suppressed in its report. Admiral Vreeland declared that ii Japan ever struck a blow it would be a swift and damaging one. He did not doubt, however, that -the United States would win if a war occurred. Admiral Vreeland admitted that lie was unable to secure definite information regarding the actual building programme of Japan, but he knew that Japan was spending every available sum on battleships and auxiliary craft. He thought if Japan once equalled the United States in naval strength the country was sure to receive a demand for the abolition of the anti-alien law.