"Washington, Feb. 8.
Admiral W. D. Leahy, Chief of Naval Operations, told the House of Representatives Naval Affairs Committee to-day that battleship: were the best modern defence weapon, but that they were not invulnerable.
Debating in the Committee hearings on the Vinson Navy Bill thr conticversial subject of the value o* aerial arms of the Navy and Arm; in national defence. Admiral Leahy said that although warships were the best means of defence, they widd be sunk by aerial bombs and torpedoes if struck often enough in the right places.
Admiral Leahy, who appeared for seven consecutive days to give evidence before the Committee. completed his testimony to-day. He has advo¢ated adoption of the Vinson Bill, which would increase the strength of the Navy by a flat 20 per cent, but has maintained that even this increase would not bring American naval strength to a point where both coasts could be defended simultaneously against attack.
The Committee adjourned until to-
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