NAVAL AGREEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 21092, 26 May 1930, Page 11

NAVAL AGREEMENT

ENQUIRY AT WASHINGTON. SUPPORT BY REAR-ADMIRAL. (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Washington, May 22. While the naval officers before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee continue to attack the London Naval Treaty, Rear-Admiral Moffatt, Chief of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics, expressed before the Senate Naval Committee his unqualified approval of the treaty. He also emphasized his satisfaction with its aviation features. “I am,” he said, “in favour of ratification, without change, provided we build up to the treaty’s terms. I believe any failure to ratify it would have a most unfavourable effect upon the cordial relations now existing between the three nations concerned and would be the most severe blow to the peace of the world since the violation of Belgium.” AN UNFOUNDED STATEMENT. London, May 22. Official circles unequivocally reject as unfounded Senator Reed’s statement at the Washington naval inquiry that Australia and New Zealand threatened not to sign the Naval Treaty if America insisted on the extensive building of large cruisers.