NAVAL EXPANSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 80, 15 January 1940, Page 2

NAVAL EXPANSION.

NOT DIRECTED AT THE ALLIES. ASSURANCE BY HIGH.OFFICIAL. .‘United Tress Association-'-Copyrlght.) WASHINGTON, January 11. Admiral Harold It. Stark (Chief of Naval Operations) continuing his testimony to the House of Representatives Naval Affairs Committee, said that the proposed naval expansion was not directed at the Allies. " \ Referring to treaty-breakers and disregard of neutral rights, he emphasised that tlic United States must consider the situation that would follow an Allied defeat. He said that even with a 25 per cent increase the Navy would find it hard to enforce the Monroe Doctrine and at the same time defend the American mainland, overseas possessions, and Panama against a coalition of Japan and Russia or of Germany and Italy. He ‘ denied the allegation that the country was getting a “paper navy’ 7 because ships authorised two years ago had not been started, and said that construction was beginning immediately. He expected the new navy to be completed in 1945.

AMERICAN SUPER-CRUISER. COUNTERING COMMERCE RAIDERS. WASHINGTON, January 12. Tho House of Representatives passed a 2G4,000,000-dollar defence appropriation, which is 7,000,00(1 dollars below President Roosevelt’s estimate. Tho voto includes:—• Dollars. War Department ... 116,218,000 Navy 145,082,000 Federal Bureau of In- ' vestigation ... .... 1,475,000 Tho appropriation also allows for 518 additional Nlavy aeroplanes, plus the maintenance and operation of 200 aeroplanes on. tho neutrality patrol, the commissioning of 64 old destroyers, and the putting of 36 of these into Class l in readiness. The Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral .Harold R. Stark) told the House Naval Affairs Committee that the navy would ask Congressional authority to build a new type of super-cuiser of more than 10,000 tons. The reason was not explained, but it is believed that they are designed to counter commerce raiders similar to the Admiral Graf Spec. They will probably be 20,000-ton vessels.

NEW LINERS FOR PACIFIC. « CONVEIRTABLE TO ’PLANE CARRIERS. WASHINGTON, January 12. The United. States Maritime Commission is calling tenders before the end of the month for two 35,000-ton passenger liners, primarily for the trans-PaeifiC trade, which could speedily be converted into aircraft carriers, with 70(Woot flying decks and accommodation for 75 aeroplanes. The funnel arrangements will be similar to .those on aircraft carriers, and a speed of more than 30 knots will be required. They will be fitted with gun emplacements, permitting arming similar to most modern aircraft carriers. The vessels, - which are described as warships earnipg maintenance in peace time, will bo operated by the President Line and will be the' most luxuriously fitted ships seen in the Pacific,