UNITED STATES NAVY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 177, 21 April 1924, Page 7

UNITED STATES NAVY

NEW PROGRAMME OUTLINED BATTLESHIPS, CRUISERS, & RIVER GUNBOATS By Telbgraph—Press Association. —COPYRIGHT, (Rec. April 20, 11.45 p.m.) Washington, April 19. Following the request of the United States consul at Canton that a British gunboat be sent to protect American lives and property, because American gunboats are absolutely incapable of manoeuvring against the bandits who recently invaded the American Presbyterian Mission at Sheklung, the chairman of tho House of Representatives Naval Committee (Mr. Butler) reported a Bill authorising the expenditure of 110.000,000 dollars. The Bill calls for the construction of six river gunboats, whose cost, exclusive of armament, aggregates 4,200,000 dollars. Mr. Butler points out that these boats are needed to protect American citizens’ interests in Chinese rivers. He is submitting a letter to the Secretary of State, Mr. Hughes, who states that such vessels constantly appearing at ports in Central China will continue to serve notice to the Chinese people of the ability and purpose of foreign Governments to protect missionaries and traders in the exercise of legitimate treaty rights. The report also recommends the appropriation of 88,000,000 dollars to construct eight scout cruisers and 18,00.000 dollars for six battleships. Mr. Butler points out that the programme accords with the Washington Treaty, which limits neither the total number nor total tonnage of cruisers of any class.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONSTRUCTION IN BRITAIN AND JAPAN London, April 18. Mr. C. G. Ammon. Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, stated that since the Washington Treaty was concluded Britain had laid down one submarine; Japan had laid down six cruisers, seventeen destroyers, and thirteen submarines. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.