AMERICAN NAVY

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19467, 14 November 1928, Page 9

AMERICAN NAVY

"SECOND TO NONE."

POLICY STATEMENT.

CRUISER BUILDING URGED.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATIOH—BT SLECT&IO TELEGRAPH COPTBIOHT.) (Received November 13th, 7.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON. November 12. Tho General Navy Board to-day issues a statement of policy, approved by Mr C. D. Wilbur, Secretary for the Navy, calling for an American Navy second to i.one and "maintained in sufficient strength to support tho United States' policies of commerce and guard her continental and overseas possessions." The statement asks for the construction of cruisers exclusively of the 10,000-ton type, armed with 8-inch guns, and tne application of 5-5-3 capital ship ratio of the Washington Treaty to auxiliaries. The statement takes on greater emphasis from the fact that it is 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 274,000,000dollar Bill for the building of 15 10,000-ton cruisers and one airplane carrier, now pending in Senate, is taken up when that body meets next month. The statement asserts that the fleet should be well balanced and should be kept at top efficiency through an active programme of replacement. The statement is definitely against the building of small cruisers. Certain general statements in the Navy Board policy are particularly interesting: "To ensure the strength of the navy for exercising ocean-wide control of the seas, with particular reference to the protection of American interests on 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."

[ln December last Mr Coolidge approved a five-year naval programme which was reported to provide for an ultimate expenditure in excess of 1,000,000,000 dollars. It called for 28 cruisers of the ° 10,000 ton typo, to cost about 15,000,000 dollars each, three aeroplane carriers, five fleet submarines, and 18 destroyer leaders, with four new battleships for the replacements permitted by the Washington Treaty for 1932. The battleships would cost about 60,000,000 dollars, or rather more. In his Armistice Day speech, referred to in cablegrams above, ' Mr Coolidge said that the United ptates required ships of large tonnage to pro-' tect her foreign commerce, "unsurpassed in importance," and was entitled to a larger, number of warships than nations having the advantages of many fuel stations and merchant vessels capable of mounting cargo guns.]

PRESIDENTS SPEECH.

MIXED RECEPTION IN U.S.A.

(Received November 18th, 7.20

WASHINGTON. November 12. Mr Coolidge's speech has met with a mixed reception, throughout the United' States. Partisan newspapers strongly commend its point of others, while not quarrelling with nis subject matter, declare hi# : manner likely to give offenoe. _ Home newspapers declare that it will give l impetus to the first proposed billion dollar programme. ■ ' Public men are divided in expressions of their opinions, according to their previously expressed points wf view. For instance, Mr NicholasMwray Butler, formerly declared:— "Navy expansion would "be a travesty now," he says. "The new Peace Pact renders it unnecejsary, unless all men are liars." .

The "New York World's" Washington correspondent states that it is reported on good authority that Mr Hoover, in his first message to Congress, will advocate Mr Coolidge's large naval programme « "He is expected, however. _to call a new conference for the limitation* o" armaments on land and sea shortly after his inauguration. Unless the initiative is taken by some' European Government." The paper continues •. 'Mr Coolidse and Mr Hoover are walking hand in liand in the establishing of the United States foreign policy, which is 'Walk gently but carry, the big stick.' They are searching for ways of peace by being nrepared for war. Australian Press Associtaion.

APPROVED IN ENGLAND.

(Received November 18th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 12. Official circles in London favourably regard President Coolidge's speech, as making it plain that America recognises the essential difference between the American and the European approach to current European problems. It also gives hope for America's eooperation in the solution of such problems.—Australian Press Association.