AMERICA’S NAVY

Evening Star, Issue 22147, 30 September 1935, Page 9

AMERICA’S NAVY

MEW BUILDING PROGRAMME STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, September 27, Taking cognisance of Press reports that Britain was preparing to invoke the so-called escalator clause of the London Treaty, the State Department has announced that Mr R. W. Bingham, the Ambassador in England, has notified that he had an official British denial of any such intention. The department added that it was still awaiting official advice from London regarding the practicability of holding a naval conference in 1936. Meanwhile President Roosevelt, who is aboard' a special railway train on a western speaking trip, has issued a statement regarding the report to the effect that his Administration would maintain the proportionate naval strength, “ by treaty if possible,” leaving a clear intimation that he intends to keep a five-five-three ratio with Britain and Japan through any building programme necessary. NO CHANGE IN POLICY WASHINGTON, September 27. President Roosevelt, en route to the west coast in a special train, is apparently taking note of newspaper despatches from London concerning the future of the Washington and London naval treaties. He said that the United States intended to adhere to them. Only failure to renew the treaties or denunciation could change 'American policy, and then only in the event of other nations exceeding the limits provided by the treaties. The 'American naval building policy was precisely without, change from what it had been during the past two and a-half years to bring the navy to the strength provided by the Washington and London treaties. This programme, carried out in accordance with the Acts of Congress, would bring the United States navy up to treaty strength by 2842. ________ NAVAL MANOEUVRES 'ARRANGED FOR PRESIDENT. WASHINGTON, September 27, It is announced that on Wednesday, yvhen the President sails for San Diego aboard the cruiser Houston, en route for Washington via Panama, Admiral Reeves will mobilise the entire fleet of jl3o vessels and engage in a brief battle pf manoeuvres for his inspection. It Will be the greatest gathering of vessels for such a purpose in the history of the American navy.