THE AMERICAN NAVY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15986, 31 January 1914, Page 9

THE AMERICAN NAVY

RIVALRY WITH JAPAN.

AN EXPERT REPORT.

Praia AiiocUtion—cj Ttlegrtph—Copyright.

WASHING-TON, January 2Q. _ Rear-admiral Vreeland confidentiaUj, conferred with the House. Committee on naval affairs. It is reported that Admiral Vreeland urged upon the committee tfie absolute necessity of the United States keeping pace with Japanese shipbuilding programmes. He pointed out that the comparative ease wherewith Japan could secure the Philippines and Hawaii in the event of an outbreak of war made a strong United States fleet imperative. The Admiral considered that Alaska was safe from a Japanese attack, giving reasons which, the committee ordered to be suppressed 1 in its report.

Admiral Vreeland also declared that if Japan ever struck a blow, it ■would be. a swift and damaging one. He did not doubt, however, that the United States would will if war occurred. He admitted that he was unable to secure definite.information TegaTding the actual building programme of Japan, but he knew that Japan was spending every available suin on battleships and auxiliary craft. If Japan once equalled the United States in naval strength the country was\sure to receive a demand for the abolition of the Anti-Alien Law.