AMERICAN NAVY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 83, 5 October 1931, Page 7

AMERICAN NAVY

"GUT TO THE BONE"

HOOVER'S ORDERS

WASHINGTON,.3rd October. Naval chiefs hare conferred,.and.Mr. C. F. Adams, Secretary for the Navy, has received orders to put into immediate effect President Hoover's ultimatum, "cut to the bone." The definite points of the 'reduction must be decided withinHhree weeks, and the Secretary has asserted that "the situation is very serious." Mr. Adams admits that the cuts will affect every department of the service. . ' i -■■• ■■' •■•■■'• The proposals now being seriously considered include the cancellation'of the commissions of and the placing on the reserve list of a fifth of the present active fleet, with the general curtailment of ship operations and a reduction of the naval personnel by a number of officers and men placed variously between 5000 and 10,000, with proportionate reduction in. the marines' personnel. The closing of at least one naval training station and several navy yards, and the wide curtailment of all remaining shore establishments,/both in personnel and activities, also are mentioned. .-.■:"•■• The members of the conference displayed considerabtegloom following the meeting, and opposition to all such action continues to increase among navy supporters. The «< New York Times's'' Washing-, ton correspondent states that, defying President Hoover in the naval- reduction programme, Senator Hale announced to-day that he' and Senator Britton would introduce identical Bills carrying a 750-million dollar appropriation to Congress in December,, authorising the building of the navy to the terms of the London Treaty, including the replacement of .obsolete ships. Senator Hale declares that the various arms conferences leave the United States progressively weaker. He warns the nation^ against the perils of a lost war. .' .' ■■• ,- ■' ', "'.