BATTLESHIP TO BE SUNK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 November 1924, Page 7

BATTLESHIP TO BE SUNK.

AMERICA AM) THE TIIEATV

BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14. ‘ The Secretary to the Navy (Mr Curtis Wilbur) has filed an answer to the charges made by Admiral Shearer that America’s naval armaments had been excessively reduced. Admiral Shearer obtained/a temporary injunction to restrain Mr Wilbur from sinking the new super-dreadnought Washington in accordance with the naval limitation treaty, and argument was heard! today. Mr Wilbur says the British Empire was permitted a larger capital ship tonnage than the United States. The treaty allowed the latter 525,000 tons, and the British Empire over 540,000 tons, the British tonnage being reducible to 568,900 tons but not to the United States level. M.t Wilbur said the scrapping programme had not been completed, and the Washington was only 70 per cent completed when the work was stopped. ~The cost was 15,250,000 dollars, which was later reducible by the sale of material. Mr Wilbur refused to answer some of Admiral Shearer’s questions, which he characterised as impertinent and immaterial, and asked for the dismissal of the suit.

The Judge, in dismissing the suit, ruled that Admiral Shearer had no legal right as a taxpayer to bring the suit, and. the court had uo jurisdiction to prevent a Cabinet official using his discretion under the law.

The Navy Department continues to plan to sink the Washington by bombs and gunfire. Admiral Shearer is appealing- „ ■