THE WORLD’S NAVIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15981, 8 May 1924, Page 5

THE WORLD’S NAVIES.

AN AMERICAN ESTIMATE. JAPAN’S BIG PROGRAMME. (Australian end N.Z. Cable Assn.) WASHINGTON, May G. Some interesting data concerning the present naval building of the Powers in relation to the Washington Treaty will be presented by the Congressional Committee which is investigating the strength of the United States Navy. The President, Air Galvin Cooiidge, is reported to have denied the allegation that the latter is deteriorating. The data shows that Japan’s programme is the greatest, especially in high-speed light cruisers and destroyers. Tho following arc the figures given as representing the estimated tonnage of ships which the live principal Powers are building with the proportion of light cruisers and destroyers in each case: —

* Cruisers only. t Destroyers only. The committee states that the main competition involves light cruisers in which both Britain and Hie United States are deficient. Britain is the only Power which is building Dreadnoughts. Those figures will be used to convince Congress of the necessity for appropriating funds to build the eight JO.OOO-lon cruisers which have been proposed.

Building Lt. Cruisers and Tonnage. Destroyers. Britain 116,440 Tons. 71,000 U.S.A. .. 64,406 45,000* .iapan .. 178,06") 133,000 France . , 71,748 54,936 Italy 11,200 11,2001