U.S.A. BIG NAVY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 45, 4 February 1928, Page 5

U.S.A. BIG NAVY

TEMPORARILY HELD UP APPROPRIATION DIFFICULTIES. CONGRESS SLOW TO MOVE, IBy Call* — Frew Ann. — Copyright.) (Received 4, 11.5 a.m.) Washington, Feb. 3. The possibility of action this session by Congress on the 800,000.000 dollar naval programme appears to be fading- Rear-Admiral Jones’s intimations of possible further international naval limitation, and President Coolidge's speech have strengthened the opposition. It is pointed out, moreover, that it is practically an impossibility to get congressional approval to both the programme and the appropriation in the short time available. It is stressed that Congress is years behind in appropriations for measures long authorised.—(A. and N.Z.) A BRITISH VIEW. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, Feb. 1. The Rt, Hon. W. C. Bridgeman, in • speech in which questions were dealt with relative to the American naval programme, said the United States had a perfect right, subject to the Washington Convention, to build whatever fleet it thought necessary for its own defence. A limit in the site of armaments was another ques tion. “We should carry on with what we think is necessary for the defence of our shores and commerce,” he continued- “Let the United States go on with what they think is necessary for themselves, and let us hope that if they build a larger navy it will be as great a factor in the preservation of the peace of the world as the British Naw has been hitherto.” Refei ring to the steps taken towards disarmament, he said that before the war Great Britain had 700 warships, with a tonnage of 2,695.000. In November of last year, Britain had 395 ships, with a tonnage of 1.424.000. “We are prepared to go further, when other countries do the same,” he added. ADMIRAL’S IMPRESSIONS AT GENEVA. (Received 4. 1.5 p.m.) Washington, Feb. 3. Rear-Admiral Hilary Jones, continuing before the House Naval Committee, said he had gained the impression at Geneva that some signatories to the Washington naval limitation treaty were planning action in 1934 to terminate the treaty in 1936. Admiral Jones declined to give the names of the nations. In answer to Representative Britten’s question of whether France and Italy would denounce a treaty which allows signatories to terminate it by giving proper notice. Admiral Jones observed that Britain must realise that another great industrial nation has arisen on the horizon which was. entitled to the freedom of the seas.’ This observation was made as a result of Mr. Britten's hypochetical question concerning an Anglo-Ameri-can war and British naval needs. Admiral Jones said Britain in war would get food supplies from the Baltic and Mediterranean countries. He exhibited a map of the British bases to illustrate his remarks and said: “You can see how easily six* inch guns can protect these lines and cut our own lines.”—(A. and ! N.Z.)