OIL FOR NAVY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 10 December 1926, Page 11

OIL FOR NAVY

DOHENY’S DEFENCE. PROVISION OF DEPOTS TALK OF CRISIS. BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT. Received 11.50 a,m. to-day. WASHINGTON, Dee. 9. Doheny gave evidence at to-day’s session of his trial on charges arising out of certain oil transactions. He declared that he entered into the oil contract lease negotiations to save his country from being invaded, like Belgium. He said: “I became aroused over the prospect, as I still am, and I promised to bid on the Pearl Harbour contract to furnish the fleet with oil. Admiral Robison told me it would double the fleet’s efficiency. He said that the Pacific coast would be vulnerable without oil for the fleet, but the fleet could stave off an attack if it had adequate oil.”

Dolieny stated that he was not very keen about the Hawaiian tank project until he had discussed it with Admiral Robison. Doheny added: “Robison finally urged the necessity from the standpoint of national defence. He said that orders had been issued for the mobilisation of our Asiatic frontiers and told me of war plans which required oil to enable our navy to prevent any foreign navy from reaching our Pacific coast. He said that our navy could’ easily be overcome without oil.” Doheny further said that Admiral Robison said that President Harding called the arms conference because of the crisis on the Pacific coast. Doheny denied £hat he talked to Fall about the bid or the lease before he lent him one hundred thousand dollars.