“WITH BIG STICK.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10744, 15 November 1928, Page 3

“WITH BIG STICK.”

HOW YANKS WILL SEARCH . FOR PEACE HOOT ER FAVORS BIG FLEET; United Press Assn by El. Tel. CopyriK&t . (Australian Press Assn.) .. , * WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, The Navy Board to-day issues a statement of " policy approved by 'Mr Wilbur, calling for an. American navy i second to none, “maintained ill Sufficient strength tp support the United States’ policies of commerce and guard Continental and overseas possessions. ’ The statement. asks for the construction of cru'sers exclusively of the ten thousand toil type, armed with eight-inch guns and the application of the 5—5—3 capital snip ratio of the Washington Treaty to auxiliaries. y : ...... The statement takes, on greater emphasis from the fact that it is published the day following Mr Coolidge’s speech, favoring more ten thousand ton cruisers.

It is expected to have an important influence on Congress when the 274 million dollars hill for building fifteen 10,003 ton cruisers and one airplane carrier, now pending in the .Senate is taken up, when t.hat body meets next month.' The statement asserts that the fleet' should be well-balanced and should be kept at the top of efficiency, through an active programme of replacement. The statement is definitely against the building of small cruisers. General statements in the Navy Board policy are particularly interesting. The first is: “To ensure the strength of the navy for exercising ocean wide control of the seas, with particular reference to the protection of American interests overseas and coast-wise commerce.” Next in importance is the statement *to cultivate friendly andi sympathetic relations witli the whole world by foreign cruisers to support in every possible way American interests, especially the expansion and development of American foreign cc.mmerce and the merchant marine.” Mr Coolidge’is speech has met with a mixed reception throughout the United States. Partisan newspapers strongly commend its point of view •, others, while not quarrelling with his subject matter declare bis manner likely to give offence. Some newspapers declare that it will give an impetus to the first proposed Lilian dollar programme. Public men are divided in the expressions' of their opinions, according to previously expressed points of views. Foi: instance, Mr Nicholas Murray Butler formerly declared: “Navy expansion would be a travesty.” Now lie says “The new peace pact renders it unnecessary unless all men are liars.” The New York World’s Washington correspondent states that it is reported, on good authority,' that Mr. in his first message to Congress, will advocate Mr. Cooldge’s large naval programme. He, however, is expected to call a new conference for the limitation of armaments on land and ssa, shortly after the inauguration, unless the initiative is taken by some European Government. Mr. Coolidge and Mr. Hoover are walk’ng hand in hand in establishing a U.S. foreign policy which is “To walk gently, but carry a big stick” i.e., searching for the ways of peace by being prepared for war.