U.S. NAVY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 5 October 1931, Page 5

U.S. NAVY

DRASTIC ECONOMY CUTS PRESIDENT HOOVER’S ULTIMATUM (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) WASHINGTON, 3rd October. The naval chiefs conferred and Mr Adams received orders to put into immediate effect President Hoover’s ultimatum to “cut to the bone.” Definite points of reduction must bo decided within three weeks, and Mr Adams asserted: “The situation is very serious.” He admitted that the cuts would affect every department of the service. Proposals now being seriously considered include the decommissioning of and the placing on reserve of fifty of the present active fleet, with a general curtailment of ship operations and a reduction of naval personnel by a number of officers and men placed variously at between five and ten thousand, with a proportionate reduction in the marines personnel; the closing of at least one naval training station, and several navy yards, and the wide curtailment of all remaining shore establishments, botli in personnel and activity. Members of the conference displayed considerable gloom following the meeting and opposition to all such action continues to increase among navy supporters. OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS PERILS OF A LOST WAR NEW YORK, 3rd October. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent states that defying President Hoover’s naval reduction programme, Senator Hale announced to-day that he and Mr Britton would introduce identical Bills carrying a 750,000,000 dollar appropriation to Congress in December authorisimr the building of a navy to the terms of the London Treaty, including the replacement of obsolete ships. Senator Hale declares that the various arms conferences leave the United States progressively weaker. He warns the nation against the perils of a lost war.