FIFTEEN NEW CRUISERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 529, 5 December 1928, Page 11

FIFTEEN NEW CRUISERS

“U.S. NOT MILITARISTIC OR IMPERIALISTIC” COOLIDGE’S LAST MESSAGE (Australian and N.Z. Press AssociationJ (United Service) Reed. 9 a.m. WASHINGTON, Monday. “I wish to repeat again, for thebenefit of the timid and the suspicious, that this country is neither militaristic or imperialistic,” says President Coolidge, in his last annual message to Congress. lie advocates the passage of the construction Bill for 15 cruisers and one aircraft-carrier, “with the elimination of the time clause,” which provides that the ships be laid down within three years. Mr. Coolidge also urges the enactment of a farm relief measure providing for Government aid in handling and marketing surpluses due to weather and seasonal conditions. He advocates a Federal Farm Board for the purpose, with a revolving temporary loan fund. Describing the conditions of the country, the President says: “In the domestic field there is tranquility and contentment, harmonious relations between management and wage-earners, freedom from industrial strife and the highest record of years of prosperity.” PEACE AND GOODWILL Referring to the foreign field, he says: "There is peace and goodwill, which come from mutual understanding and from the knowledge that the problems which a short time ago appeared to be ominous are yielding to the touch of manifest friendship. “No Congress of the United States ever assembled has met with a more pleasing prospect than that which appears at the present time. To other lands the United States must extend a very large measure of generosity, moderation and patience. “In addition to dealing justly we can well afford to walk humbly. Peace and prosperity are not finalities; they are only methods. It is too easy under their influence for a nation to become selfish and degenerate.”