FOR THE FLEET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19721, 11 December 1926, Page 7

FOR THE FLEET

OIL BASE IN PACIFIC NECESSARY FOB AMERICA’S SAFETY DOHENY ’S EVIDENCE IN OIL LEASE CASE WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. Doheny gave evidence to-day in the oil lease trial. He declared that he entered into the lease negotiations to save- the country from being invaded like Belgium. He said: “I became aroused over the prospect, as I still am. and I promised to bid on the Pearl Harbour contiact to furnish the fleet with oil. Admiral Robison told me it would double the fleet’s efficiency. He said that the Pacific Coast would be vulnerable without oil for the fleet, but the fleet could stave off atttack if it had adequate oil.” Doheny stated that he was not very keen about the Hawaiian tank project until he had discussed it with Admiral Robison. Matter of National Defence. Doheny addedt ‘‘Admiral Robison finally urged the necessity from the standpoint of national defence. He said that orders had been issued for the mobilisation of our Asiatic frontiers, and told me of war plans which required oil to enable our navy to prevent any foreign navy reaching our Pacific * oast. He said our navy could easily be overcome without oil.”

Doheny further said that Admiral Robison said that President Harding called the Arms Conference because of the crisis on the Pacific Coast.

Doheny denied he talked to Fall about the bid or lease before he lent him 100,000 dollars.