Washington, Feb. 1 new rearmament prone despite the circumspection lin President Roosevelt's message on national defence, is due entirely to the actions of Japan, according to well-informed circles here to-day.
In the Government and elsewhere, it is stated, there is general agreement that the United States fleet must be built up sufficiently to maintain the five-three ratio.
Japan's secrecy regarding her naval plans end her refusal to agree to a limitation of big naval guns have been disturbing the Government, and it is contended that wild rumours of Japan's plans have probably caused more public apprehension than the actual facts, if known, would warrant, The United States answer is seen in the Vinson Bill, where authorization for new battleships is specified in tonnage and not in number. If rumours of Japan's construction of huge battleships are proved to be well founded, it is likely that America will build two large battleships under the Vinson Bill, instead of three of treaty size.
From the nature of the opposition, it is generally believed that the rearmament programme will have a swift passage through Congress.
Ratio of Naval Powers Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Naval Operations, estimated that after the completion of the building programmes, which had been begun. or proposed, the world's big navy Powers would have the following capital ships, United States, 21; Britain, 22; Japan, Germany, 8; Italy, 8.
Questioned regarding Japan's building programme, Admiral Leahy said that he had no accurate information but said, Japan had built a great many more cruisers than the United States, and had increased her destroyer strength.
"It could be.supposed," he added, "that Japan was now building some battleships."
Mobilization Speed If the United States should go to war again, the U.S. Army expects to mobilize more than twice as quickly lis it did in 1917.
Mr. Louis Johnson, Assistant Secretary of War, says that if hostilities should start to-morrow 309,000 trained soldiers could be put into the field immediately, "Thirty days later, we would hope to have available a force of 500,000," he said. "At the end of four months, we would expect 1230000 to be in uniform and under arms.
Nearly 300000 were in uniform a month after the declaration wf war on Germany in 1917, but four months later only 551,000 men were equipped.
The Panay sinking may bring about a change in the armament of United States gunboats. According to a Navy Department official the sinking has disclosed the necessity of providing the little ships with more modern: anti-aircraft equipment.
Gunboats, the official said, were designed to protect Americans and REAR Britain, France and the United States, it is learned, are consulting through diplomatic channels in view of the reports In the absence of concrete evidence in this matter, the Escalalikely to be invoked at present. r, are insufficient to dispel the American interests against bandits and pirates operating on land and water. No special thought had been given to offence and defence with regard to air.
In addition to machine-guns the Panay was armed with two three-inch guns. However, one was put. aci of commission by the first shower Of bombs. The other was not used in the confusion, probably because half the crew were wounded and the remainder were engaged in dragging wounded io safety and in manning the machine-guns, The three-inch guns require a gun crew of six to eight.
The Panay's three-inch guns were not effective against aircraft because they lacked mechanical anti-aircraft sighting equipment. The Navy oficial said it would be like shooting at Aying ducks with a sightless rifle.
Deck armour cannot be placed on gun-boats as they must be light enough for river navigation.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.