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Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1929, Page 4

A sensation of the first magnitude is just now disturbing naval and political circles in America. A certain William B. Schearer, well-known as a civilian expert on naval affairs, has sued three of the principal naval shipbuilding firms in the United States for a’ large sum alleged to be due to him for his efforts to discourage naval disarmaments at Geneva. According to Schearer’s own account, he was merely a “private observer” at the Disarmament Conference in 1927. But he admits that data which he used as material against naval limitation had been suplied to him by American naval officers, and he also alleges that “four American admirals” in 1924 encouraged him to propagandise .in favour of the “big navy” policy. Naturally Schearer’s action has produced a very unpleasant impression on public opinion in .the United States. The companies concerned, which' are all building cruisers for the American navy,' have ' repudiated Schearer’s charges, and are said to be prepared to clear themselves before the proper authorities. But President Hoover is evidently surprised and alarmed .by these startling, disclosures, and he . has ordered the Attorney-General to investigate Schearer’s re ord. At the same time Mr Bor all, who, to do him justice, is always oij the side of decent and lionest administration, has demanded and secured an investigation by the Nava! Committee of the Senate, at which representatives of the companies concerned will be called upon to give evidence. And whatever happens in regard to Schearer’s claim for £69,C00, this investigation will probably produce results of a decidedly sensational character. No one who considers carefull; all that is implied in these allegationwould be prepared to say that President Hoover has exaggerated their sinister importance. Such propaganda a Schearer is said to have disseminated at Geneva, comments an exchange, must certainly sow the seeds of “international distrust and hatred.” Anc! the whole civilised world must agree with the President that individuals or corporate bodies who attempt by insidious means to oppose the declared policy of the Government, and'to ohs ruct its efforts at promoting world peace for their own selfish ends, are acting “against the publifc interest,” and deserve severe reprobation and punishment for their treachery and disloyalty. Whatever amount of truth there may be in Sehearer’s statements, the whole episode must help -to confirm the widely-held conviction that the supply of military and naval equipment and material should be a function of we .State, and should not be allowed to fall into private hands.