NAVAL BUILDING

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 191, 8 May 1924, Page 7

NAVAL BUILDING

POWERS’ PROGRAMMES COMPARED

MANY NEW CRUISERS AND DESTROYERS

BRITAIN ALONE CONSTRUCTING DREADNOUGHTS

Data prepared in Washington shows that Britain, the United States, Japan, and France are all building many light cruisers and destroyers, Britain being the only Power building Dreadnoughts. Italy is confining her construction programme to destroyers.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. (Rec. May 7, 9.40 p.m.) Washington, May 6. Interesting data concerning the present naval building of the Washington treaty powers will be presented at a Congressional investigation into the American Navy, whose alleged deterioration President Coolidge is reported to have discounted as erroneous. The data shows that Japan’s programme is the greatest, especially in high-speed light cruisers ana destroyers. Britain’s building tonnage is estimated at 116,440, of which 41,000 tons comprise high-speed light cruisers and destroyers. The United States is building 64,496 tons, of which 45.000 tons are cruisers. Japan is building 178,065 tons, of which 133,000 tons are destroyers and cruisers. France is building 71,748 tons, of which 54,936 tons are destroyers and Italy is building only 11,200 tons of destroyers. . . The main competition involves light cruisers, in which both England and the United States are deficient. England is the only power building Dreadnoughts. These figures will be used to convince Congress of the necessity of appropriating funds to build f’ 1 '”” 10,000-ton cruisers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.