NEED FOR STRONG FORCES

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 29, 29 October 1945, Page 7

NEED FOR STRONG FORCES

Other Navy Day Speeches

(Heceived October 28. 9.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 27. The Assistant-Secretary of the Navy for Air. Mr. Sullivan, in a Navy Day speech, said : If a public demand arises for the early release of the occupation forces in and round Japan, it might be well for us to recall our regret that the 1914-18 War died so soon after Armistice Day. The will to implement the war and peace offensives may he dissipated in direct proportion to the premature and extended demobilization of military personnel and power. "After the last war the boys returned very quickly and the nation spent the next 23 years regretting they did not go on to Berlin.” Admiral Nimitz, in a Navy Day speech at Honolulu, urged the maintenance of a strong peacetime navy under the separate Navy Department. For many years the United States would have a great obligation in the Pacific which must be supported with adequate sea power, which meant that not only Fleet ships and planes but dominion over the sea and air. Admiral Nimitz praised the unity of command, but opposed the merger of the War and Navy Departments, reversing a view he expressed last year. The proposal for a single department was still in the blueprint stage, whereas the greatest war in history had been won with the present organization. He explained that his earlier statement was made without adequate opportunity for study.