AMERICAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1928, Page 2

AMERICAN NEWS

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) FOR AMERICAN NAVY. NEW YORK, Jan. 18. A United Press Washington message says that Congress will be asked to appropriate funds to purchase a minimum of three hundred new aeroplanes, if the five-year construction programme is adopted. According to advices from the Navy Department this would more than double the present aircraft strength of America’s battle fleet.

In addition, if Congress approves of tile programme, the Navy personnel will have to be increased by approximately 30,000 men, or one-third of the present strength. The necessity for a great increase in aeroplanes and men is explained by high naval officials as being on tbe basis of the recommendations made by -Mr Wilbur. The ships, planes and men needed for the programme are: Twenty-five cruisers, with an additional 10,750 and 100 planes, 32 submarines, and 2523 men, five aircraft carriers with 8000 men, and 200 planes, nine destroyer leaders with 2,700 men and •nine planes. If the additional planes are authorised. the United States will have a naval fighting plane strength four times as great as either Britain, Japan, or France and Italy. No mention of planes and personnel is yet made at the hearing by the Naval Affairs Committee. Naval officers estimate the approximate total cost of the additional planes at 5,400,000 dollars, basing the figure on the individual cost, 18,000 dollars. it is said that the Navy Department does not contemplate any increase in lighter than air craft.

SEN A TOR’S SECT ART A XTSM. WASHINGTON, Jan. 19. As the result of a fierce debate in the Senate, lasting several hours, between Senators Hefflin and Robinson (Democratic Leader), in which the former bitterly attacked the Roman Catholic Church and Governor Smith, a situation of political importance has arisen, which will probably fra3 to a definite expression of opinion from Democratic Senators as to rlietlicr Roman Catholicism renders Governor Smith ineligible for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency. Demoratic Senators will to-morrow, in Caucus, deal with Senator Robinson’s resignation of Leadership, as a protest against Senator HefTlin’s ■speech; and it is expected that Senator Robinson will lie chosen again by an overwhelming majority. This will put all Democratic Senators on record on the religious question. U.S. POLITICS. WASHINGTON, Jan. 19. Democratic Senators met in caucus, cabled yesterday and passed a resolutino of confidence in the leadership of Robinson.