NAVAL ARGUMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 57, 8 March 1928, Page 11

NAVAL ARGUMENT

BRITAIN CRITICISED AMERICAN MINISTER WANTING MORE SHIPS (United Press Association.—Copyright.) NEW YOEK, 6th March. Speaking at tho Ec_publiean Club at Bay City, Michigan, Mr. C. D. Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, answered critics of tho naval programme, during | which ho cited Britain's statement at Geneva regarding the need for warships and its outlining of tho means she would adopt to meet this need. Mr. Wilbur said: "If in this solemn, fashion we wero advised that tho liation with which wo expected parity in all branches of the navy intended to build more ships of greater tonnage than we desire or expect to build, why should our announcement that we intended to build fewer ships of less tounage than Britain bo considered provocative? Why is it that some citizens of the United States seem to feel that Britain is to bo trusted with a large programme rather than the United States with oue of similar or less dimensions?" what Does bbitain fear? The speaker asked what-- now factor in world affairs had appeared to cause Britain apprehension^ "Tho German fleet has disappeared," he added, "and we find it difficult to reconcile the British conviction that.war is already outlawed between us with their present unwillingness to recognise our rights beyond limiting the number and type of ships we would desire." Mr. Wilbur, continuing, stated: "I should like to take the occasion in the name of the American delegation at tho Geneva Naval Conference to express once more our appreciation of the Japanese delegation for,the proposals they brought forward jind supported relative to a lo.w tonnage , limitation. We feel that the firm desire of their country to effect limitation of arma-i ment at or' below existing levels will have a profound influence."