SECOND TO NONE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 270, 14 November 1928, Page 7

SECOND TO NONE.

US. NAVY OBJECTIVE.

Policy Based On Extensive

Building.

PEACE BY WAR PREPARATION.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

WASHINGTON, November 13.

The General Navy Board yesterday issued a statement of policy, which has been approved by Mr. Curtis D. Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, providing for an American Navy second to none, which "will be maintained in sufficient strength to support the American policies in commerce and to guard its continental and overseas possessions."

The statement asks for the construction of cruisers exclusively of the 10,000tons type, to be armed with 8-inch guns, and the application of the 5—5 —3 capital ship ratio of'the Washington Treaty to auxiliary vessels.

The statement takes on greater importance from the fact that it was published on the day following Mr. Coolidge's speech favouring more 10,000-ton cruisers. It is expected to have an important influence on Congress when the bill for building fifteen 10,000-ton cruisers and one airplane carrier, at a cost of £54,800,000, which is now pending in the Senate, is considered when that body meets next month.

The statement asserts that the fleet should be well balanced and kept at the acme of efficiency through an active programme of replacement. It is definitely against building small cruisers. Three general statements of the Navy Board's policy are particularly interesting:—"To insure the strength of the navy for exercising an ocean-wide control of the seas, with particular reference to the protection of American interests in overseas and coastwise commerce; next in importance, to cultivate friendly and sympathetic relations with the whole world by foreign cruises; to support in every possible way American interests, especially the expansion and development of American foreign commerce and the merchant marine."

The President's speech has met with a mixed reception throughout the United States. Partisan newspapers strongly commend its point of view; others, while not quarreling with his subjectmatter, say that his manner was likely to give offence. Some newspapers declare that it will give an impetus to the £200,000,000 programme as first proposed.

Public men are divided in the expressions of their opinions, according to their previously expressed points of view. Mr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University, New York, said the expansion of the Navy would be a travesty "now that the new Kellogg peace pact renders it unnecessary, unless all men are liars."

The Washington correspondent of the "New "iiork World" says it is reported upon good authority the President-elect, Mr. H. C. Hoover, in his first message to Congress, will advocate the adoption of Mr. Coolidge's large naval programme, as set forth in a speech last December.

However, Mr. Hoover is expected to call a new conference on the limitation of armaments on land and sea shortly after his inauguration, unless the initiative is taken by some European govern ment.

AMERICAN SPEECHES.

"Painful Impression" Created

In France.

SELFISHNESS ALLEGED.

(Received 10 a.m.)

PARIS, November 13,

There is considerable Press comment on the speeches of Messrs. Coolidge and Kellogg.

"Le Temps," after paying tribute to the American war effort, which, it says, France has never belittled, adds: "It creates a painful impression when Mr. Coolidge asserts that the other nations' losses must be discounted because they have claimed reparations and increased their territory. France will never admit that sacrifices can be counted solely in terms of money. Blood and gold caunot be weighed against one another."

"Le Temps" concludes: "It would be a mistake to expect America to initiate anything going beyond her own interests."