AMERICAN NAVAL PROPOSALS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 127, 27 February 1928, Page 9

AMERICAN NAVAL PROPOSALS

PRESIDENT DISAPPOINTED 16 SHIPS INADEQUATE (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, February 25. It is understood that President Coolidge does not believe the sixteen-ship programme approved by tlie House Committee will provide sufficient vessels for adequate national defence. The President is still insistent that it would have been better to have adopted the programme of 71 vessels and feels there should be no time limit on their construction, and that the vessels should be built as the financial situation warranted. He' holds that the- time limit in tlie proposed House Bill is <not bind-ing-on another Congress, which might desire and could repeal it. It is not liktlv, however, that the President will veto the measure, particularly since it is indicated that the various leaders in the House of Representatives will support the committee’s programme.

PROSPECTS IN CONGRESS Washington, February 24. The prospects of Congress authorising the House Committee’s new naval programme appear to be good, as Mr. Madden, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has approved it. Mr. Madden’s approval carries weight, due to his leadership of a group which has consistently opposed a large navy. A second Bill covering the personnel and other expenses must be prepared later.