U.S.A. FOREIGN POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1928, Page 6

U.S.A. FOREIGN POLICY

(United Press Association —By Electric .Telegraph—Copyright). WASHINGTON. Novemhor 12. The U.S.A. Oeiieral Navy Board today issues a. statement ot policy approved hy Naval Secretary M i.bur, calling or an American Navy second to none, “ maintained in sufficient strength to support the United States’ policies ot commerce, and to guard its continental and overseas possessions.” The statement asks for the construction of cruisers exclusively of the ton thousand ton type, armed with eight inch guns, and asks for the application of the 5-3-3 capital-ship ratio of the Washington Treaty to the auxiliary ships. The statement takes on the greater emphasis from the fact that it is published the day 'following President C'oolidgo’s speech favouring more ten thousand ton cruisers. It is expected to have an important influence on Congress when a- -74 million dollar bill for the building of fifteen 10.000-ton cruisers and one airplane carrier, now pending in the Senale. is taken up, when that body meets next month. The statement asserts that the American Fleet should be well balanced and should be kept at top efficiency tlirough an active programme of replacement. The statement is definitely against the building of small cruisers. Three general statements in the Navy Board policy are particularly interesting. viz. “lo ensure the stiengtli of the navy for exercising an oceanwide control oil the seas, with paitioular reference to the protection of American interests on overseas and coastwise commerce.” The next in importance is the statement: “To cultivate friendly and sympathetic relations with the who’e world hy foreign cruisers to support, in every possible way, American interests, especially the expansion and development of Ameiican foreign commerce and the merchant marine. President Conlidge’s speech has met with a mixed reception throughout the United States. The partisan newspapers strongly commend its point ol voiw. Others, while not quarrelling with his subject matter, declare Mr Un'didge’s manner is likely to gi' ( offence. Some of the newspapers declare it will give an impetus to the first proposed billion dollar programme. Public men are divided in the expressions of their opinions, acco.ding to their previously-expressed points m view. For instance. Or Nicholas Mnrrny Butler lias declared: “ Navy expansion would be a travesty now. ' He says: ‘‘The new peace pact renders it unnecessary, unless all men are liars.” . The ‘‘New York World’s” Washington correspondent states: It is iepouod on good authority that President Hoover, in bis first message to (on n-cess. will advocate- President tool,dye's large naval programme, as cabled. He. however, is exported t‘ coll a new conference for the limitation of armaments on land and sea shortly after his inauguration. un!cs< the initiative is taken by some European Government. Messrs (oolidg' and Hoover are wallUng band in hand in establishing a United States ‘foreign policy, which is “Walk gently, but carry a big stick.” searching for of oca re by being prepared for war.