NAVY BUILDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, 23 January 1928, Page 7

NAVY BUILDING.

UNITED STATES’ SCHEME

PROGRAMME ASSAILED

NEW YORK, Jan. 21. The New York Worlds Washmgtou correspondent states that the muiti-niiiiion-uouiar navy-biuiUiug sciiewe, in which tne Administration Uas aequiesced, is being mllated so rapidly tiiat it appears destined to be a bihion-doilar bubble. Both the Republican and Democratic majorities on the all-poweitul appropriation and nuance Committees nave determined to light to a hnish the enorts to appropriate the money necessary to make the naval expansion dream come true. The project, if carried out, would raise the annual cost of tlie navy to more than 500 million dollars, and increase the annual tax burden by at least two millions, and would, in view of many, precipitate an open armament race with the British and other naval Powers. As tlie bill now stands, the President’s hands would be tied, even if limitations should be decided upon at the 1031 conference. Senator Glass to-day assailed tlie programme as ian imposition, upon tlie taxpayers, and a menace to world peace. He added, “AY hat was started apparently as an Administration bluff, and was taken seriously by the House of Representatives Naval Affairs Committee, is causing international apprehension over the real intention of the United States.” Senator Borah is opposed to the project. He said that he intended to attack it as soon as the bill reached the Senate. —A. and N.Z. cable.

BRITISH CRUISERS. EFFECT OF FEWER CRAFT. LONDON, Jan. 21. The Daily Telegraph’s naval correspondent states that it is understood the Admiralty is most reluctant to sanction the cut of six cruisers to three (which is now officially confirmed), arguing that the original programme barely compensated for the deterioration of, older vessels. It will be necessary, in the course of a few years, to scrap about a dozen cruisers, which will result in a sharp decline in Britain’s relative position regarding cruiser tonnage. —A. iand N.Z. cable.