ARMS RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 13

ARMS RACE

LEADING POWERS GIANT BATTLESHIPS AMERICA AND JAPAN GERMAN AIR FORCE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received May 5, 8.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 5

Discussing the plans to build two 45,000-ton battleships, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral William D. Leahy, told Congress that Japan was believed to be building three battleships displacing 42,000 or 46,000 tons. He said it was intended to keep the United States Fleet in the Pacific for a year. Admiral Leahy said America must prepare to defend her shores against all possible alliances, without depending on any foreign source for assistance.

The six leading Powers, excluding America, were building or planning 604 new vessels totalling 2,000,000 tons. Germany was building 146, Japan 40, and Italy 70. Admiral Leahy added that Germany had 15,000 aeroplanes at January 1, besides capacity to produce 10,000 aeroplanes a year. Japan was rapidly strengthening her air force The 770,473,241-dollar Naval Appropriations Bill, which has been tabled, increases the building programme of the United States to 144 ships and authorises the laying down of the keels of two 45.000-ton vessels, the world's largest and powerful.

It also authorises the construction of a giant dirigible as an experimental air-craft-carrier. Funds have been provided for a further 500 aeroplanes, making the naval air fleet 2132.

Appropriations for bases at Midway, Wako, Johnston and Palmyra Islands were withheld "without prejudice."