U.S. NAVAL SCANDAL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1929, Page 1

U.S. NAVAL SCANDAL

CLAIMS TO BE A PATRIOT. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 8. The naval expert, who was described as a • paid propagandist by President Hoover, when interviewed, divulged some of the aspects of his ork. His name is William B. Shearer, and he has shown great interest in naval matters for mnnv years. He attempted to secure a court order to prevent tbe sinking of certain vessels under the Washington Treaty.

Mr Shearer declared that he was not, a “propagandist,” but a patriot. He was a, private observer at the Geneva Conference, and tbe data, which he had used against naval limitation there, was supplied by navy officers whose names he will reveal at the impending senatorial investigation. He, however, mentioned four admirals who besought him in 1924 to spread information against the reduction of naval armaments.

Mr Shearer said that the shipbuilding companies were enthusiastic over his work. STATEMENTS AND DENIALS (Received this dav at 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 10. The Senate Naval Committee to-day •voted for an investigation into activities by United States Ship Building corporations connected with the International naval limitations. A letter from E. G. Grace (President of Bethlehem Steel Corporation) has been made public by White House. The letter stated that the Company had severed its connections with William •Shearer as soon as it had determined that Shearer as a propagandist. President Hoover, in a letter to Representative McClintock, a member of the House Naval Committee, denied that there had been any connection between Shearer and Rear Admiral Hilary Jones, now retired, who was one of the United States delegate. 4 to Genera Conference in 1927.

Shearer also denied receiving confidential naval information from Jones or Rear Admirals Robinson, Plunket, Pratt or Wiley.