NAVAL POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1921, Page 5

NAVAL POLICY.

DECISION OF AMERICA,

TO COMPLETE HER PROGRAMME.

OPPOSITION DEFEATED.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 29, 5.5 p.m.

Washington, April 28. The House defeated, by a large majority, an amendment to the Naval Appropriations Bill proposing that the appropriations for the continuance of the 1916 naval programme be held up until President Harding calls a disarmament conference.

In Hampton Roads, President Harding reviewed the Atlantic fleet. Addressing the officers, he said: “I wish you might never be called on to* fire a gun again. If every Government .were inspired by the same motives as ours there would always be peace, but I will not have peace without honor and without consciousness of America’s right and protecting every interest.”—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received April 29, 5.5 p.m. Washington, April 28. A Republican leader (Mr. Monell), indicating that he spoke President Harding’s views, said no action towards disarmament should be taken until it was made certain that the United States motives had been misunderstood. He indicated that the administration feels that the disarmament programme might fail unless the situation was handled with extreme care.

After defeating all the disarmament proposals the House passed the Naval Bill by 217 votes to 15 votes. It carries a vote for 396.000,000 dollars, and goes to the Senate.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.