NAVAL REDUCTION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 263, 2 August 1929, Page 11

NAVAL REDUCTION

BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S CUTS REAL SACRIFICE OF STRENGTH CANCELLED VESSELS ALREADY ORDERED The extent of the sacrifice of naval strength by the suspension and cancellation of vessels by the British Government is emphasised by naval correspondents, who point out that the vessels were already ordered, and there will undoubtedly be claims for compensation for broken contracts. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Australian Press Association. (Rec. August 1, 8.45 p.m.) London, August 1. Naval correspondents point out that the extent of the Government’s naval cuts has scarcely been realised. It has been stated that there is no real sacrifice of naval strength made in suspending the cruisers Surrey and Northumberland, and cancelling two submarines and the submarine depot at Medway, but actually all the named vessels belonged to the 1928 programme, for which large sums had been voted by Parliament long ago. The scheme was estimated to cost about eleven millions. The action of the Government has reduced this to five millions. Nor is it true to say that the vessels were merely contemplated. On the contrary, all were ordered months ago. and orders had been already placed for material to the extent of £1,750,000, and authority given for additional £1,400,000 worth during the current year. Apart from the blow to the industry, there will undoubtedly be claims for compensation for broken contracts. Clydeside Workers Paid Off. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval correspondent says it will be seen that Britain has made a real and vital sacrifice in the interests of international disarmament and goodwill. Owing to the Admiralty cancelling the submarine contract the Beardmores have paid off seven hundred Clydeside workers.

POSTPONEMENT OF AMERICAN CRUISERS PRESIDENT REPLIES TO CRITICS VALUE OF AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN Australian Press Assn.—United Service. Washington, July 31. An agreement between the United States and Britain looking to complete equality in the strength of their navies is held by President Hoover as an answer to the critics of his decision to postpone work on three cruisers to have been laid down next fall. The President, in a letter, replying to the criticisms of his action by the National Commander of the American Legion, Mr. McNutt, describes the agreement as the “first step in the renewed consideration of a reduction of excessive world naval armaments and a forward step of the first Importance.” Reiterating the position that defence is all that the United States is seeking, the President expresses the opinion that it is better to establish such a relation as that represented in a parity agreement than to "resign ourselves to continued attempts to establish it by rival construction programmes.”