NAVAL POWER

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 67, 13 December 1926, Page 9

NAVAL POWER

BALANCE UPSET UNITED STATES DROPPING BACK COOLIDGE MAY CALL NEW CONFERENCE It is thought likely that the United States President will call a new conference shortly to consider a further limitation of war fleets. The prospects of the invitation being accepted by naval Powers are not, however, considered very bright. BY Telegraph.—Press association. Copyright. London, December 10. The “Daily News” says: “President Coolidge’s Budget message is believed to foreshadow invitations to a new conference for limiting war fleets in order to secure the last chance in this direction. Washington is actuated by the progress of British cruiser construction, the introduction of a new Japanese building plan, and the large French combatant tonnage, which have collectively upset the balance of power in auxiliary craft, which the Washington Conference sought to stabilise, besides causing a marked decline in the relative United States naval strength. “The prospects of a conference are not considered bright, in view of the British Admiralty’s opposition to a fixed ratio of cruisers and destroyers, while submarines remain unlimited; also France’s refusal to reduce her submarines. The British feel that, a conference would revive the submarine squabble with France. If the conference proves futile, fresh American naval propaganda is inevitable.—Sydney “Sun” Cable.

UNITED STATES IN PACIFIC SERIOUS CONDITION FIVE YEARS AGO Washington, December 10. Mr. Curtis Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, to-day refused to inform the jury in the Doheny-case on details of the' confidential report . prepared by Admiral Greaves, who in 1921 was Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, and investigated conditions in the Pacific. Mr. Wilbur was excused immediately when the Court was informed that he had failed to bring with him several score of confidential dispatches sent. to the Navy Department by Admiral Greaves, which were then interpreted by the navy officials as indicating a serious state in the Pacific. The Government counsel did not cross-examine Mr, Wilbur, who spent only a few moments in the witness stand. Mr. Anderson, president of the Pan-American Petroleum Company, testified that Admiral Robison had said that the Japanese situation was serious, and the navy wanted an increase in oil storage at Pearl Harbour immediately.