NAVAL NEEDS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 35, 10 August 1927, Page 11

NAVAL NEEDS

AMERICA'S POLICY

MR. COOLIDGE SPEAKS

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 10th August, 3.15 p.m.) NEW TOBK, 9th August. The "New York Times" Bapid City correspondent states that President Coolidge to-day explained the American position regarding naval defence. Alter the conference Mr. Wilbur, Secretary of State for the Navy, said the President, intimated that the Geneva failure must not be made the cause for naval competition, and as far as his influence could be exerted the United btates would continue with ita moderate naval building programme, completing its five-year building plans to round out the fleet, and provide the necessary light cruisers and other auxiliary craft. The United States would build only what was needed to strengthen the fighting effectiveness of the capital ships. The failure at Geneva, ho said, would not justify the United States in considering anything beyond its defensive requirements, and it was his belief that American sentiment would not support a demand for auxiliary craft placing America on the same relative strength as Great Britain.