WAR TALK DISCOUNTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 261, 25 January 1928, Page 1

WAR TALK DISCOUNTED

U.S. PRESIDENT’S REPLY “STATEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY” By CcWe. —Press Association. Copyright. Reed. 9.5 a.m. WASHINGTON. Tues President Coolidge declared today that he sees no reason why the newspapers in this or any other country should tske seriously the statements of American naval officers predicting war between the United States and her commercial competitors.—A. and N.Z.

FIRST CLASS NAVY

NEED IN PEACE AND WAR MUST MAINTAIN EFFICIENCY By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. BOSTON, Monday. "We must have a first-class navy in time of peace if we are to have a first-class navy in time of war," was the opinion expressed by the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. C. D. Wilbur, in a speech at the Middlesex Club. He added that no matter what the social standards of the American people, nor how much they may abhor war, it would be fhameful for a nation that was financially able to equip itself with modern weapons to send its men to battle In ships that were so inferior, that their sacrifice was the obvious result. .. .. The spirit of fariness and decency alone, ’ said Mr. Wilbur, "should compel us to provide modern weapons of war.* They had to choose between abandoning the navy and maintaining a high degree of efficiency, for which the naval authorities had planned. "The idea that ships may be built and placed on the reserve list, to be commissioned at a time of hostilities, is utterly impracticable,” said Mr Wilbur.—A. and N.Z.