GUN ELEVATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17012, 10 April 1923, Page 7

GUN ELEVATIONS.

U.S. DEPARTMENTS CLASH. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 10, 10.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 9. It is reported that President Harding lias returned to find the State and Navy Departments clashing on the question of the elevation of guns for American capital ships, and the President and the Cabinet will have to judge th i controversy. The correspondent of the “ New York Sun” says: “The Navy Department will not yield in its viewpoint that a change in gun elevation should be made in thirteen ships. On the contrary, while the State Department does not contend that gun elevation and range increases are precluded by the Washington Treaty, Mr C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State) does maintain that any such changes by the United States would be the signal for other countries t) do likewise, and that thus the spirit of the Washington Treaty would be disobeyed.”

The correspondent adds: “Naval officers are so vigorous in demanding that the navy’s efficiency should be increased that the controversy may become one oi the most important which have confronted the Harding Administration.”