NO SERVICE TO PEACE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 135, 5 December 1933, Page 9

NO SERVICE TO PEACE

AMERICA TO BUILD AGAIN

UP TO TEEATY LEVEL

United Tress Association—By Electric Tela-

graph—Copyright.

WASHINGTON, December 3,

"We still continue most earnestly to strivo for a reduction of armaments among the Powers by agreement on a rekitivo basis," says tho annual report of the Secretary of tho Navy (Mr. Charles A. Swauson), in his annual report to President Roosevelt. "The timo has come, however, when we can no longer afford to lead in disarmament by example. Other Powers have not followed our example, with the result that the United States now finds its relative naval strength seriously impaired." The Secretary added that of the signatories to the naval treaties the United States alone had not undertaken an orderly building programme designed to bring her navy to the full force permitted by the agreements. "Our weakened position did not serve the cause of peace," he says. "It jeopardised it, because a balanced armament fortified diplomacy, and was an important element in preserving peace and justice, whereas undue weakness invited aggressive, war-breeding violations of one's rights." President Roosevelt's action in turning over to the navy 238 million dollars for tho construction and equipment of 32 new vessels is described by the Secretary as tho first step in such a programme.