NAVAL FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1939, Page 5

NAVAL FORCES

STRENGTH OF JAPANESE FLEET AN AMERICAN ESTIMATE. EXPANSION IN UNITED STATES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright WASHINGTON, November 25. Edison's annual naval report estimates that the Japanese naval strength, which has been a secret since the denunciation of the London Treaty, is approximately 2,206,000 tons, including three 40.000-ton battleships building, two 12,500-ton aircraft carriers, and 32 light surface vessels totalling 12,000 tons. The submarine strength built and being built approximates 62, totalling 83,000 tons. The report adds that the battleship Hiyei, which was converted into a training vessel under the London Treaty, has been modernised and rearmed as a battle unit. It estimates built, building or appropriated fighting - strengths of the great Powers as follows: — Britain 2,080.000 tons United States 1.754.000 tons France 750.000 tons Italy 728.000 tons Germany 541.000 tons The report states that the United States navy is ready to bring any possible enemy to terms while keeping the enemy at a safe distance from American shores. It stresses the importance of continuing the building' programme, which the New York Times" interprets as complete naval endorsement of the recently proposed thirteen hundred million Expansion Bill. The report adds that the threatening international situation may necessitate accelerating the present orderly programme, but it should not in any circumstances be retarded.