KING’S ACTIVITY

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 5

KING’S ACTIVITY

THE SALE OF ARMAMENTS SENSATIONAL ALLEGATIONS INQUIRY IN UNITED STATES PRINCE AS A “SALESMAN’--’ ORDERS FOR BRITISH FIRMS Sensational allegations that the British Royal Family took an active interest in the sale of armaments, and that the Prince of Wales made his South American tour in the role of a glorified salesman were made to the United States Senate Investigation Committee at Washington today. The statements were given an emphatic denial from London. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. Washington, Sept. 7. Something of a sensation developed before the Senate Munitions Investigation Committee when Senator James Pope (Democrat, Idaho) introduced into the record a telegram purporting to have been sent by the Polish representative of Driggs Ordnance and Engineering Company, New York: It read: “King of Great Britain summoned our ambassador at London and intervened in three-inch or 75 AA 50 calibre gun on new mount. Chief stands for high pressure, but great difficulty hold situation. You must hasten summoning commission to America. Anxiously await your telegram promised for to-day.”

A telegram was produced during the testimony of Mr. Louis L. Driggs, head of the ordnance company, which was shown to have had the aid of the United States War Department in an effort to sell guns to Poland. Mr. Driggs said a contract had not yet been awarded. Mr. Driggs was an extremely reluctant witness, several times trying to avoid answering questions. “That is the sort of thing that should not be made public,” he complained, bitterly, as Mr. Pope finished the Warsaw telegram. “What do you make of that reference to King George?” asked Mr. Pope. “It is the same sort of gesture British royalty has been engaging in lately,” replied Mr. Dring. “For example, sending the Prince of Wales to South America and making a glorified salesman of him. It is simply that the British royal family is interested in getting orders for British business.” “Do you think your agent was telling the truth when he said King George had intervened?” Mr. Pope asked. “Certainly,” Mr. Driggs replied. COMPETITOR IN POLAND. & Mr. Driggs testified that Vickers, Ltd., was his chief competitor in Poland. He said he thought the chief referred to was the Polish chief of ordnance, who favoured the purchase of guns from a United States manufacturer. “What a situation!” exclaimed Senator Arthur Vandenburg (Republican). “We find the United States Government encouraging the private sale of arms to foreign countries, and the British King doing the same thing. Does it not make a paradox in the effort towards disarmament?” “I do not think so,” Mr. Driggs replied. “Only six countries produce munitions, and there are 36 or 37 that want to buy. They are going to buy in some place, and I think America should get her share of the business.” Another series of documents revealed that Lieutenant-Commander James H. Strong, who was on active duty with the Navy Department in 1932, but who since resigned, gave the Colombian con-sul-general at New York detailed data on how to defend Colombian ports from possible Peruvian attacks. Testimony before the committee also revealed that the American Government about 1929 adopted a policy of releasing the War Department’s patents to private munition makers in an effort to increase sales abroad.

Officials of the Driggs Ordnance Company testified that their files revealed a letter from the War Department specifically offering secret patents for 3-inch and 105-millimetre anti-aircraft guns if a foreign Government’s order for “a sufficient quantity” could be produced. It was pointed out that improvements in breach mechanisms cost the Government over £400,000 to perfect. If only a few weapons were sold the buyers could appropriate the improvements for use of their own manufacturers. It was further revealed that an American cruiser was authorised to demonstrate the efficiency of these guns to Turkish officials at Constantinople as an aid to the Driggs company in. making a sale to that country. I CATEGORICAL DENIAL MADE “SUGGESTION RIDICULOUS” Rec. 7.20 p.m. London, Sept. 8. The Polish charge d’affaires categorically denies the United States Munitions Investigation Committee statements. No British Royal personage in any wise approached His Excellency Constanty Skirmunt, the former Polish Ambassador at London, in connection with foreign contracts. “The suggestion is so ridiculous that it does not require further explanation,” the charge d’affaires adds.