BUILDING OF WARSHIPS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2713, 22 June 1925, Page 5

BUILDING OF WARSHIPS.

Since the armistice, in contrast with the eleven ships begun in Britain, 334 have been commenced elsewhere, Japan has laid the keels of Tfl cruisers, while the United States, has been responsible for ten, France for five, and Italy for two, says the “Daily Telegraph.” All those vessels are of postwar design—which means that they have superior fighting qualities to those under the British Ensign which were built before or during the course of the war. The activity has not been arrested, but continues. Japan is now building nine cruisers, as well as 23 destroyers, and 28 submarines; the •United States has authorised ninecruisers, besides 12 destroyers and 15 submarines, and France and Italy are also busying themselves with new construction. France has decided to build nine cruisers. 21 flotilla leaders, 36 destroyers, and 59 submarines, while Italy, in addition to five cruisers, is committed to two flotilla leaders, 24 destroyers and 20 submarines, not to mention six mine-layers. In face of this naval movement overseas, on the one hand, and the' demand for national economy on the other, it must be apparent that the problem is one of the most difficult that any Administration in Britain has had submitted to it for a good many years,