Questioned regarding the Navy's policy of protecting American citizens abroad, Admiral Leahy said the Navy's policy did not extend beyond removing Americans from dangerous areas, Admiral Leahy denied that the Navy Department knew the whereabouts of every vessel in the Japanese fleet.
Asked whether any existing Navy could destroy the American fleet, Admiral Leahy replied: "I am not willing to admit any Navy could destroy the United States Navy, but Britain has a fleet more powerful than ours."
Admiral Leahy warned the committee yesterday that unless the United States increased its naval strength soon, "there will be insumcient security against attack from overseas."
The Admiral told the Committee that it would be impossible for the United States to defend the Philippines against a first class sea power in the Pacific. Even the added strength which the Navy would obtain from the Vinson bill proposals, he said, would not make possible defence of the Philippines,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.