New Britain herald., 1924-09-20
Budget To Be Adjust ed In Accordance With Report, Wilbur Announces After See ing President Today.
Secretary Denies That His
 Speeches Were Discussed
 and Says in One He Was
 Gravely Misquoted.

Washington, Sept. 20.--Secretary Wilbur, whose western speaking tour was cut short when he was asked to return to Washington by President Coolidge, visited the White House today and at the termination of his interview with the president, an nounced that special board would be appointed to investigate the rela- tive importance of air. submarine and surface craft in the navy.
 Presidents Suggestion.
 Appointment of the board was suggested by the president, Mir. Wil- bur said, adding that the chief ex- ecutive indicated he desired the mat ter to be taken up at once, with a view to adjustment of the budget" in accordance with whatever conclu- sions were reached by the board.
 Speeches Not Questioned.
 Secretary Wilbur declared em- phatically that the speeches he made on his tour were not brought up at the White House conference. Only the technical details of the budget in relation to a balanced navy was con- sidered, he said.
 Referring psrticuarly to an ad- dress made in Seattle, Secretary Will bur said he had been quoted incor- rectly with reference to American Japanese relations. He asserted the speech was "emphatically concilia- tory"
 Il did not say there were two antagonistic, peoples on the Pacific, but two opposing civilizations he said, and was not referring to the Japanese but to what might be termed the Occidental as compared with the Oriental. I made no in- vidious comparison between them I might add that Japanese consul present came up and enthusiasti- cally thanked me after the ad- dress"
 In further explanation of the Seattle address, the secretary as- serted it's purpose was to show that "the limitation of arms conference in making impossible an aggressive war across the Pacific had guar anteed the safety of our west coast during a period in which existing problems could be worked out"
 Tn other words" he said, T was trying to say that limitation of arms furnished a pledge of friend ship in such positive terms that it could not be gainsaid.
 Fayors the Battleship
 Although of an open mind in the forthcoming discussion of naval weapons Secretary Wilbur pointed out that in his western speecfes he had stated his opinion thaf "the battleship still is the backbone oi the fleet" This phrase was sub- stantially the conclusion reached bJ a joint board of army and navy ex' perts which studied the subject two years ago.
 Mir. Wilbur said he also discussed the political situation in California with the president assuring hin that if the campaign concluded there as at present the republican ticket win carry the state by plurality of 100000 votes.
 "I do not believe in the politica theory" the secretary said. "tha you should say your candidate i! winning if hesis not. Quite frank ly talked to some people who de Ia o1aAtinnG held the next day Mir. Ia Toilette would carry the state. There ar' two dangers to republican success In California, first that the peopl' will not vote; second, that there i too much assurance. Various ele ments of the party are cooperating for the success of the republican national ticket"
 The secretary conferred with Nil Coolidge in the latter's study In tn earlier than his previous appotns ment called for upon the request O the president. He talked with Mr Coolidge for 45 minutes and upol leaving minutely detailed his trii from the day he left Washington about a month ago, until his re turn last night, but said he woul' not discuss personalities in connec ton with the California politics situation. upon going to his office Mir. Wilbur said he expected to SC lect the board to investigate depart mental problems discussed with tn