PACIFIC POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1936, Page 5

PACIFIC POLICY

U.S.A. REJECTS BRITISH PLEA

(United Pres* Association—By Electrii Telegraph—Copyright)

iNEW 'YORK, November 8

The Washington correspondent of the Herald-Tribune” says it is learned that ’ two months ago the United /States rejected ' the British: proposal to continue the status quoof Pacific fortifications. The Ameri-. can • reply was already delivered when the British plea was made public, but it was not divulged f until; after the election. . , \.

The State Department’s speedy de-, cision is viewed as indicating the; Administration’s , determination ‘ to regain complete freedom . ,foj’ naval action in .the Pacific, / which the! 1922 Washington Treaty 'removed.' 1 The United States, is willing to discuss the status ' quo if it is linked with tho naturalisation of Llie; Phillipines or a new • general read-1 justment of the whole Far • Eastern -• .question; but the Administrationwill not consider it as an isolated subject. ' 'i .. .

* U.S. NAVAL INCREASE

WASHINGTON, November 7

While the “Basic Construction (Replacement. Plan” ..to bring the navy 'to treaty strength is well un-: der way, the annual’ repcjrt of Mr C. A. Swanson (Naval Secretary) * to president Roosevelt urges as the next step the building of an adequate fleet auxiliary, and also Federal support flor the " marchaiit (marine a s a second line of defence He also recommends more enlistments: and steps, to safeguard fuel supplies.