UNITED STATES DEFENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16671, 26 February 1925, Page 5

UNITED STATES DEFENCE.

REASONS FOR STRONG NAVY. WORLD’S OIL SUPPLIES. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Sydney Sun Cables.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 24. The House Aircraft Committee has decided to re-open its hearings. This is due to public clamor against 1 lio sudden decision to cense activities. 'l’lie official explanation that the committee stopped work owing to lack of funds is disproved, as it is now discovered tliai 2500 dollars are still available. Moreover, members of the committee and others offered to defray further expenses personally. It is expected that Air. Weeks will he called shortly to give evidence. Meantime, Air, Wilbur, addressing the Women’s Conference oil national defence, declared that, even if the defensive power of aircraft extends two hundred miles from the coast, the navy will still be the only protection beyond that point. Ho asserted that the navy is strengthening and building up its aviation branch, adding: ‘‘lf bombing planes can sink battleships, we want bombing planes. We not only want them; we have and are getting them.” A possible conflict with Britain over shipping trade policies is one reason for having a strong United States navy, Rear-Admiral Phelps told the Women's Council, which has pledged its efforts to maintain peace. Admiral Phelps said the bulk of the world’s oil supplies were under British control, and within another generation, when our own pools are drained, as they are being drained, not only by us blit by England and Japan, to conserve their own oil reserves, the U.S. navv and marine will he at Britain’s mercy for fuel. The determination of the United States to build up an adequate merchant marine, Admiral Phelps added, had aroused the bitter animosity of British shipping interests.