WORLD’S BIGGEST NAVY

Grey River Argus, 21 June 1945, Page 5

WORLD’S BIGGEST NAVY

AFTER THE WAR America’s Programme [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 8.30). WASHINGTON, June 19. To a closed session of the Naval Arfairs Committee of the U.S'. House of Representatives, the Navy Department presented a picture of the new programme which the Navy contemplates so as to adopt Jkmerican naval strength to current world conditions. The United States Navy would be at least one-sixth greater than it was before the war, and it would have three times as many personnel. The Navy Secretary, Mr Forrestal, said: “Our fleet after the war should vary in a direct ratio to the international blood pressure. An important thing to remember is that we should not freeze our navy at any. given strength, but should continually adapt its strength to international developments. The Navy contemplates the division of its present forces into active and reserve categories. If the world: conditions deteriorate, the ships in the reserve fleet should immediately be added to the active fleet. On the other hand, if international relations improve vessels can be transferred from the active to the reserve category.” The Navy’s post-war formula recommended a programme comprising the following: (1) The minimum of combatant naval craft required as the United States contribution to an international force under the new World Security Organisation. (2) The minimum of combatant naval craft required to afford an effective combat superiority ovei' the active naval forces of any other single Power, or of any combination of likely enemies, whichever is the larger. (3) The minimum of additional combatant naval craft that are required to provide for such policing as United States interests and commitments require. (4) The minimum of such craft required for our local defence and sea frontier forces. (5) The minimum of such craft required for training, and for the continued development of the art of naval warfare. (6) The minimum of auxiliary; naval craft, including landing craft, required to support the foregoing. The “New York Times” says it has learned from a reliable authority that the Navy informed the Committee that the'present set up of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets would be retained, with each division having separate units in reverse, teamed up and manned by fifty per cent, of personnel.