THE AMERICAN NAVY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20291, 27 December 1927, Page 9

THE AMERICAN NAVY

ALL PROGRAMMES DEFERRED. EFFECT OF SUBMARINE DISASTER. fPreai* Association—By Telegraph-Copyright ) NEW YORK, December 24. » (Received Dec. 25, at 5.5 p.m.) The Washington correspondent of the New York World says that Congress will defer all navy construction and renewal programmes until the Navy Department has fully explained everything possible in connection with the tragedy to submarine S 4 and outlines the steps to be taken to prevent similar tragedies. In the House of Representatives Mr Britton announced that he would introduce a Bill calling for the construction of special salvage vessels equipped to rescue any submarine from a depth of 200 ft. It is announced that when Congress is reconvened on January 4 hijh naval officers will be cross-examined in connection with the disaster The House Committee decided to withhold the construction of the proposed 32 submarines. A statement made from White House indicates that, in the opinion of Prasident Coolidge, the conditions of the army and navy are better now than in any other peace period in the nation’s history. Commenting on the prevalence of newspaper stories picturing a destitute navy and a deplorable army, Pf'esident Coolidge stated that such stories were common at a time when service appropriation Bills were pending in Congress. The President thinks that the country has no cause to worry on account of the nation’s ability to defend itself.—A. and N.Z. Cable.