U.S.A. NAVY

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1928, Page 7

U.S.A. NAVY

BRITISH PROPAGANDA ALLEGED. (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, December 7.. The “Herald” and “Tribune” this morning print rather a vitrolic message from Washington, alleging that there is considerable displeasure at White House, and in the State and Navy Departments, at what is regarded as “studied propaganda” on the part of high British officials who desire to “hamper the American naval programme.” Field Marshal Robertson alleged that the comparison of the American attitude with that of Germany is considered the last straw as far as official patience here is concerned. The despatch continues in lengthy terms, ostensibly representing official sources, in an attempt to justify the American naval position and recent ■announcements of American foreign policy.

CONFERENCE POSSIBILITIES (Recd. Dec. 8, 11.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 7. Any British invitation to renew the discussion on the cruiser problem would have to be accompanied, or quickly followed by written information indicating the general outline of the prospective British proposals, if it were to obtain consideration from the United States Government, so the United Press Association was informe.d to-day. .. The question was raised after the intimations at the State Department that an opportunity might develop within the next year for further naval conversations between»United States and Britain. The officials would not commit themselves regarding the likelihood of the opportunity actually developing into a conference. The writ- ( ten outline of Britain’s general attitude would be insisted upon to correct the weakness which proved fatal to Mr. Coolidge’s 1927 Geneva Conference, for failure of which, the British and American officials blamed each other. American officials now concede that lack of understanding, prior to the conference, contributed most to the collapse . PANAMA CANAL DEFENCES. WASHINGTON, December 7. Mi- Hoover’s goodwill South American tour will be followed by a similar visit of the American sea forces. The Navy Department announces that the battieships, destroyers, cruisers and submarines will be detached for a South American cruise, from combined Atlantic and Pacific fleets, which will mass in Pacific waters from January until June, to test the defences of the Panama Canal, in the greatest concentration of United States sea forces since the Panama manoeuvres five years ago.