“NAVY SECOND TO NONE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 9

“NAVY SECOND TO NONE”

AMERICAN POLICY ACME OF EFFICIENCY SMALL CRUISERS NOT WANTED (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) WASHINGTON, Tuesday. The General Navy Board to-day issued a statement of policy, -which j has been approved by Mr. Curtis D. i Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, pro- ’ viding for an American Navy second i to none, which “will he maintained in sufficient strength to support the American policies in commerce, and to guard its continental and overseas possessions.” The statement asks for the construction of cruisers exclusively of the 10,000-tons type, to be armed with eight-inch guns, and the application of the 55 —3 capital ship ratio of the Washington Treaty to auxiliary vesThe statement takes on greater importance from the fact that it was published on the day following Mr. Coolidge’s speech favouring more’ 10,000-ton cruisers. It is expected to have an important influence on Congress when the bill for building 15 10,000-ton cruisers and one airplane carrier, at a cost of £54,800,000. which is now pending in the Senate, is considered when that body meets next month. The statement asserts that the fleet should he well balanced, and kept at the acme of efficiency through an active programme of replacement. It is definitely against building small cruisers. MIXED RECEPTION Three general statements of the Navy Board’s policy are particularly interesting: “To ensure the strength of the navy for exercising an oceanwide control of the seas, with particular reference to the protection of American interests in overseas and coastwise commerce; next in importance, to cultivate friendly and sympathetic relations with the whole world by foreign cruises; to support in every possible way American interests, especially the expansion and development of American foveign commerce and the merchant marine.” The President’s speech has met with a mixed reception throughout the United States. Partisan newspapers strongly commend its point of view; others, while not quarrelling with his subject matter, say that his manner was likely to give offence. Some newspaper declare that it will give an impetus to the £200,000,000 programme as first proposed.

ARE ALL MEN LIARS?

Public men are divided in the expressions of their opinion, according to their previously expressed points of view. Mr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columoia University, New York, said the expansion of the navy would be a travesty “now that the new Kellogg Peace Pact renders it unnecessary, unless all men are liars.”

The Washington correspondent of the “New York World” says it is reported upon good, authority that the President-elect, Mr. H. C. Hoover, in his first message to Congress, will advocate the adoption of Mr. Coolidge’s large naval programme, as set forth in a speech last December. However, Mr. is expected to call a new conference on the limitation of armaments on and and sea shortly after his inauguration, unless the initiative is taken by some European Government. Mr. Coolidge and Mr. Hoover are walking nand in hand in establishing the foreign policy of America, which is, the correspondent says, "to walk gently, but to carry a big stick.” They are searching for ways to peace by being prepared for war.

N.Z. MARKSMEN.—At the shooting competitions for Dominion representatives in England for instructional purposes, Honorary Lieutenant J. Hutchinson, of the Australian Instructional Corps, won the king’s medal and clasp, 1928, for the champion. LanceCorporal S. W. Bernet, of the Ist Wellington Regiment, won a medal for New Zealand.—A. and N.Z.-P.A.