United States.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 48, 9 February 1920, Page 5

United States.

THE REJECTED TREATY.

HOPES OF RATIFICATION DISPELLED.

Washington, Feb. 6. The ho|>e that the treaty would speedily be ratified since it wul shortly again be brought upon the floor of the Senate has been again dispelled. Senator Hitchcock stated that he does not think President Wilson has changed his attitude regarding the reservations despite Lord Grey’s letter, and if President Wilson does not accept Senator Lodge’s reservations and the Republicans do not make measurable modification in connection with the reservations there cannot be a change in the treaty situation. WILSON’S DECISION UNCHANGED. President Wilson has written to Senator Hitchcock approving of the reservations to the Peace Treaty which Senator Hitchcock presented at the recent conference of Republicans. The letter was written prior to Lord Grey’s letter.

President Wilson, in a letter read to the Democratic Senators at the secret conference, said he would accept Senator Hitchcock’s reservations, but could not accept any reservations that would cause the United States to reject her international obligations under Article Ten of the League of Nations Covenant. The letter reaffirmed Dr. Wilson’s stand against any but interpretative reservations. DEMOCRATS HOLD CAUCUS. Thirty Democratic Senators held a caucus at which it was unanimously decided to do everything possible to facilitate the calling up of the treaty on the floor of the Senate on February 9. Senator Hitchcock said the Democrats would also support the recommitment of the treaty to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. LLOYD GEORGE INTERVIEWED.

THE STING IN THE TAIL

New York, Feb. 7. Interviewed by the New York “Times” London correspondent; Mr. Lloyd George said: “I might have hopes as to what the United States might see her way to do, but 1 could not presume in advising her about her business. The United States came into the war when she was most needed. Her coming was like an avalanche. Dr. Wilson’s whole administration and every branch of American co-operation everywhere worked effectively with Europe against Germany. Finally the American people put every ounce of their might into the war. On issues offering no direct or immediate menace to their interests 1 can only say 1 trust them and their sound judgment.”—A. & N.Z.

WORLD’S BIGGEST NAVY. DANIELS* DREAM OF SEA CONTROL. OPEN RIVALRFwiTH BRITAIN. Washington, Feb. 7. Mr. J. Daniels (Naval Secretary) announced that he would place before Congress within a' fartnight his naval plans. He was contemplating the construction of sixteen Super-dreadnoughts and ten battle cruisers, with an expenditure of 780,QU0,000 dollars. He will also ask for a construction appropriation <tf 200,000,000 dollars for tfie fiscal year beginning July 1 and 50,000,000 dollars far increased pay to the naval personnel. Mr. Daniels in evidence before the Senate Investigating Committee, said that after Congress passed the law permitting foreign decorations. President Wilson directed the State Department to notify the European Government that the United States did not wish any decorations. In the meantime Admirals Rodman, Strauss and Sims had accepted decorations. Admirals Rodman and Strauss desired to refuse, bnt accepted lest refusal should offend Britain. Admirals Sims held that the decorations would have a valuable effect on the moral and fighting efficiency. Mr IXniels further alleged that Admiral Sims told the Congressional representatives at Paris during the war that Pershing failed to break the German fines, and that the American Navy Stayed a small part conijiared with the ntish. Mr Daniels accordingly refused Admiral Sims* decorations becapse be had become a. British propagandist. Mr Daniels said that Admiral Sims wanted to leave the control of the seas to Great Britain, which he would call an un-American -policy. The United States must follow one of two courses. She must have the League of Nations with mobile police force of the sea to which she would contribute as much as any nation; if not this, then her duty was as plain as a pikestaff. She must have incomparably the biggest navy in the world.

“DOUGH BOYS” TOTAL CASUALTIES. Washington, Feb. 7. The final casualty figures of the American Expeditionary Force are:— Killed in action 34,844, died of wounds 13,960. wounded (of whom eighty-five per cent are returning to duty) 215, 423.—(A. «t N.Z.)

SALE OF GERMAN SHIPS.

HIGH PRICES EXPECTED.

Washington, Feb. 7. It is announced that the Shipping Board will sell by auction on February ft thirty former German liners, aggregating 365,000 dead weight tons. They are expected to bring a price of between thirty and fortv million dollars. —A. and N.Z.

WORLD’S BIGGEST SEAPLANE. Washington, Feb. 7. . Mr. Craven Director of Naval Aviation, informed the House of Representatives that the Navy Department contemplates the construction of two giant seaplanes, the largest in the world, and asked for an appropriation of 636,000 dollars for this work. He also recommended the construction of four new N.C. planes, 150 smaller seaplanes and three small non-rigid dirigibles, all costing 2,700,000 dollars. Mr. Craven said the giant seaplanes would have a capacity of thirty tons, and 140 foot wing spread.—A. and N.Z.