U.S.A DEFENCES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 7 December 1927, Page 3

U.S.A DEFENCES

NEEDS OF THE FUTURE c PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS GENEROSITY? —-3 Washington, Dec. 6. Despite his traditional brevity, President Coolidge sent Congress, upon its opening, one of the longest messages ever offered by a President during peace times. The President said “Being a nation not relying on force, but on fair dealing and good will, to maintain peace with others, we have provided a moderate military force in a form adapted solely for defence. The five years’ programme for our air forces is in keeping with this policy and commensurate with the notable con-

tributions of America to the science

o f aeronautics. While our army is small, pr udence requires that it should be kept in a High state of efficiency and provided with such supplies a s will permit its immediate expansion. Our navy likewise is a weapon ot defence. We have foreign commerce

and ocean lines and trade unsurpassed by any other country. We Have outlying territory in two great oceans and long stretches of sea coast, with the richest cities in the world. We are responsible for the protection of a large population and the greatest treasure ever bestowed upon any people. We are charged with the international duty ot defending the Panama Canal. We need to meet those responsibilities very substantial sea armament. It needs aircraft development, which is being provided under the five-year programme. It needs submarines, as soon as the department has decided upon the best type of construction. It needs areoplane carriers and material, in addition to its force of cruisers. We must plan for the future and begin a moderate building programme.

ADEQUATE NATIONAL DEFENCE

"This country has put away the old world policy of competitive armaments, but it can never be relieved of the responsibility of adequate national defence. We have one treaty, secured by an unprecedented attitude of generosity on our part, for the limitation of naval armament. After most careful preparation, extending over months, we recently made every effort to secure a threepower treaty to the same end. We were granted much co-operation by Japan, but we were unable to coo-e to an agreement with Britain. While the results of the conference were of considerable value, they were mostly of a negative character. We know now that no agreement can lx? reached which will be inconsistent with a considerable building programme. (In our part we are ready and wiling to continue preparatory inves'.ig u.jcns o.i the general subject of the limitation of armaments which Lave been stnted tinder the auspices of the League. We have a considerable cruiser tonnage, but part of it is obsolete. Everyone knew that had a three-power agreement been reached it woqjd have left us with the necessity of continuing our building programme. Failure to agree should not cause us to build either more or less than we otherwise should. Any future treaty of limitation will call on us lor more ships. We should enter no competition, but we should refrain from no needful programme. It should be made clear to all the' world, that, lacking a definite agreement, tho attitude of any other country is not permitted to alter our own policy. It should especially be dembnstrated that propaganda will not cause us to change our course. Where there is no treaty covering the limitation of the size of the navy which America is to have, it will be solely for America to determine, and no outside influence should enlarge or diminish it, but it should be known to all that our military power holds no threat of aggrandisement. It is a guarantee of peace and security at home, and when it goes abroad it is an instrument for the protection of the legal rights of our citizens in time of disorder and always the servant of world peace. Wherever our flag goes the rights of humanity increase.”

GENERAL MATTERS. Among other matters, President Coolidge advocated that more attention should be given to the merchant marine as an auxiliary of the navy. He pointed out that the national debt had been reduced to 17,975 million dollars, and advocated the rapid disposal of Government-owned merchant marine, since public operation had not heen successful. He disfavoured either Government price-fixing or a Government subsidy for agriculture. The present tariff provided 600.000,000 dollars of annual revenue. Any material reduction in the protection of either manufactures or agricultural products would injure the country. “President Coolidge continued: "Prohibition Is the solmn law of the land and all citizens are morally under an obligation to observe It. The Federal Government is making every effort to enforce It,” The President, concerning China, Mexico and Nicaragua, added that there was nothing new since his speech of April 25. He concluded: "Our country has mado much progress, but it lias taken, and continues to take, much effort. Competition will be keen, temptation to selfish arrogance will be severe, and provocations to deal harshly with weaker papole will be many. America, in doing good, in walking humbly, in sustaining its own people and in ministering to other nations, will work out its own might and destiny.” -(A. and N.Z.)