AMERICA’S NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1922, Page 5

AMERICA’S NAVY.

WEAK IN MANY BRANCHES.

REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT.

RESTRICTED BY FINANCE.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Received Dec. 4, 6.20 p.m. , Washington, Dee. 3. Mr. Edwin Denby (Secretary for the Navy), reporting ’on the condition of the navy to President Harding, declares the satisfaction of the Navy Department with the naval ratio of the Washington Conference. He says: “In the past, owing to lack of a definite naval policy, and the more pressing need for building up our naval strength in capital ships, it has been necessary to maintain a well rounded navy.” “I feel it my duty,” proceeds Mr. Denby, “to report that in certain types* such as fast cruisers, aircraft carriers, seagoing submarines and aircraft, the navy is deficient. It is not my intention this year, in view of the financial condition of the country, to make recommendations for an increase in the navy of these branches, but I recommend that as soon as conditions warrant it, Congress should make such an increase as will tend to balance our fleet, and make and keep it equal with any in the world. “The fundamental naval policy of the United States should ibe the foregoing and should hold until such time as the other Powers, by their departures from the idea of suspended competition in Mval armament, indicate other procedure. The United States navy, until such time, may be governed in naval strength by the spirit of the capital ships ratios.”

Mr. Denby pointed out that the nayy manoeuvres and operations last year were seriously hampered by insufficient appropriations for fuel, and made it extremely embarrassing for the Com-manders-in-Chief of the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. He asks Congress to make' appropriations for so many barrels of oil and tons of coal, irrespective of the price.—Aye.-N-Z. Cable Association.