SALE OF ARMAMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 21821, 10 September 1934, Page 9

SALE OF ARMAMENTS

RELEASE OF AMERICAN PATENTS EVIDENCE AT SENATE INODINV Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, September 7. The Washington correspondent of the 4 New York Times’ says: “Testimony before tbe Senate Munitions Committee to-day revealed that the American Government about 1929 adopted a policy of releasing tbe War Department’s patents to private munition makers in an effort to increase sales abroad. Officials of the Driggs Ordnance Company, of New York, testified that their files revealed a letter from the War Department specifically offering secret patents for threeinch and 105-millimetre anti-aircraft guns if a foreign Government’s order for 4 a sufficient quantity ’ could be produced. It was pointed out that improvements in breech mechanisms cost the Government over 2,000,000d0l to perfect. If only a few weapons were sold the buyers could appropriate the improvements for the us© of their own manufacturers. It was further revealed that, an American cruiser had been authorised to demonstrate the efficiency of these guns to Turkish officials at Constantinople as an aid to Driggs in making a sale to that country.” SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS KING GEORGE’S NAME MENTIONED. WASHINGTON, September 7. Something of a sensation developed when Senator James Pope (Idaho, Democrat) introduced a telegram purporting to have been sent by the Polish representative of the Driggs Ordnance and Engineering Company. It read: 44 The King of Great Britain summoned our Ambassador in London and intervened in the three-inch or 75 A A 50calibre gun on a new mount. The chief stands for high pressure, but I have great difficulty in holding the situation. You must hasten in summoning the commission to America. Anxiously await your telegram, promised for today.”

A telegram was produced during the testimony of Louis L. Driggs, head of the Ordnance Company, which was shown to have had the aid of the United States War Department in an effort to sell guns to Poland. Driggs said the contract had not yet been awarded. Driggs was an extremely reluctant witness, several times trying to avoid answering the questions. 44 That is the sort of thing that should not be made public,” he complained bitterly as Senator Pope finished the Warsaw telegram.

“ What do you make of that reference to King George?” asked Senator Pope.

]f is the same sort of gesture that British royalty has been engaging in lately,” replied witness; “ for example, sending the Prince of Wales to South America and making a glorified salesman of him. It is simply that the British Royal Family is in getting orders for British business.” 41 Do you think your agent was telling the truth when he said the King had intervened?” Senator Pope asked. “ Certainly,” replied Driggs, who testified that Vickers was his chief competitor in Poland. Ho said he thought the chief referred to was the Polish chief of ordnance, who favoured the purchase of guns from United States manufacturers.

44 What a situation I” exclaimed Senator Arthur Vandenburg, a Michigan Republican. “We find the United States Government encouraging the private sale of arms to foreign countries, and the British King doing the same thing. Doesn’t it make a paradox in the effort towards disarmament?” “ I don’t think so,” Driggs replied, adding that only six countries produced ■munitions, 44 and there are thirty-six to thirty-seven that want to buy. They are going to buy in some place, and I think America should get her share of the business.” Another series of documents revealed that Lieutenant-commander James H. Strong, who was on active duly with the Navy Department in 1932, but has since resigned, gave tbe Columbian Consul-General in New York detailed data on how to defend Columbian ports from possible Peruvian attacks. SUGGESTION RIDICULED STATEMENT BY POLISH OFFICIAL. LONDON, September 8. The Polish Charge d’Affaires categorically denies the munition inquiry statement. He says that no British royal personage in any way approached M. Skirmunt, the ex-Polish Ambassador in London, in connection with foreign contracts. The Charge d’Affaires adds; “ The suggestion is so ridiculous that it does not require further explanation.”