Modernization

It was known that a new Navy Bill was to come before the House in a few days--a bill to modernize our older battleships especially by installing oil-burning boilers in six of the oldest, to build eight new 10,000-ton scout cruisers, and to construct six river-gunboats--all at a cost of about $150,000,000. At this timely moment, Secretary Wilbur took opportunity to reply to a questionnaire on the strength of the Navy submitted to him in the form of a House resolution. His information corroborated and elaborated upon the letter to the House Naval Affairs Committee given out by Assistant Secretary Roosevelt two weeks earlier (TIME, May 19). He agreed that the U. S. held second place in naval strength--not considering naval bases or merchant marine as factors. The ratio of strength is 5-4-3 (Great Britain, U. S., Japan). He listed the chief U. S. deficiencies: 1) Cruisers, of which the U. S. needs 22 (eight of which have been asked) to bring it up to 5-5-3 ratio. 2) Modernization of older battleships (which has been asked for). 3) Stored fuel and oil tankage facilities are less than 10% of the amount regarded by the General Board as necessary for one year of war. Present tankage 4,162,389 barrels; needed tankage 48,059,200 barrels. Cost of constructing needed tankage $71,955,000.

4) Submarines are needed capable of maneuvering with the fleet at battle speed and at the usual fleet cruising speed in all weathers. There now are none, but three such are under construction. In respect to tonnage of submarines, and submarines suitable for coast defense, the present force is adequate.

5) Torpedoes in reserve are 20% under the necessary requirement.

6) Minesweepers and minelayers to the number of 20 and 10, respectively, are needed.

7) Naval bases in the western Pacific are inadequate, putting the U. S. in third place in that respect.

8) Personnel at its present strength of 86,000 men is inadequate to keep the requisite number of ships, especially destroyers, in commission.

It was believed in Washington that if the Dawes report is soon accepted in Europe and if the bill for the eight new cruisers is passed, the President would call a new arms limitation conference to set limits on lighter vessels and air craft. The present treaties restrict only craft of more than 10,000 tons. With eight new 10,000-ton cruisers authorized, we could go to such a conference prepared to bargain by giving up something. Otherwise, we should go to such a conference asking other nations to limit their cruiser strength, but with no similar sacrifice to offer on our part.