United States Replies To Japan With Mammoth Men o’ War

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1939, Page 5

United States Replies To Japan With Mammoth Men o’ War

(Received 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON. January 9. 'JHE UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED DESIGNS FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND FASTEST BATTLESHIPS—TWO 45,000-TONNERS, CAPABLE OF OVER 33 KNOTS. These ships, like the six 35,000-ton ners at present under construction, will each mount nine 16in. guns, and the extra tonnage will be utilised for thicker armour. " ’■ The two ships will be the most costly ever contemplated, an official esti-, mate being 110,000,000 dollars (about. £23,530,000 sterling) each, „ They will be America’s answer to the reported Japanese super ships. If President Roosevelt and Congress approve, they will be included in the 1940 defence programme. . • V

It is significant that two shipbuilding ways at New York and Philadelphia are at present being enlarged. The proposed vessels are designed to negotiate the Panama Canal.

Enlarging Panama Canal?

It ‘is stated that Mr Roosevelt’s 500,000,000 dollar special defence programme, which is to be presented to Congress in a special message this week, may contain certain recommendations for a third set of locks on the Canal, three miles from the present locks, thus supplying an alternative route in the event of bombing or sabotage. The message is also expected to support the building of new air bases in Alaska, Hawaii, and other Pacific islands, to form an advance defence line from north to south across the Pacific.

Ten Tnonsand Army Planes.

It is generally anticipated that Mr Roosevelt will recommend 10,000 army aircraft, besides the 3000 naval aeroplanes already authorised, but will explain that the machines are to be obtained over two years, and 4000 are to be used for training. A substantial increase in civilian, air strength was disclosed tonight. There are now 22,983 licensed pilots ih the United States, and 10,000 certificated aeroplanes.