NAVAL OIL LEASES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19970, 11 December 1926, Page 13

NAVAL OIL LEASES

THE AMERICAN SCANDAL. EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE. (Prsss Association—Bv Telegraph—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, December D. (Received Dec. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Doheny gave evidence to-day. He declared that he entered the oil contract lease negotiations to save the country from being invaded as Belgium was. He said: “I became aroused over the prospect, as I still am, and I promised to bid on the Pearl Harbour contract to furnish t&e fleet with oil. Admiral Robison told me that It would double the fleet’s efficiency. He said the Pacific Coast would be vulnerable without oil for the fleet, but that the fleet could stave of an attack if it had adequate oil.” Doheny stated that he was not very keen about the Hawaiian tank project until he had discussed it with Admiral Robison. Doheny added: “Admiral Robison finally urged its necessity from the standpoint of national defence. Ho said that orders had been issued for a mobilisation on our Asiatic frontiers, and told me of war plans which required oil to enable our navy to prevent any foreign navy from reaching our Pacific coas):. He said that our navy could easily be overcome without oil.” Doheny further saaid that Admiral Robison said that President Harding called the Arms Conference because of the crisis on the Pacific coast He denied that he talked to Fall about a bid or lease before he lent him 100,000 dollars.—A. and N.Z. Cable.