The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-02
DRIVE STARTED
!. FOR INCREASING
NAVY STRENGTH
Britten Moves To Inaugu-
rate Inquiry To Deter
mine Needs
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
Nv I.eased XYira fn Asa- Herald.

u 10y A<IM800 NyMV ~ AAHV-AANA e-tessf
WASHINGTON, May Ia cam
paign is under way to bring the Unit
ed States navy up to the strength it
was accorded under the naval iimita-
tion treaty, as a result of the declara-
ton of naval experts that the Ameri-
can battlefield is far below par in many
respects.
The drive has been started by Rep
resentative Britten of Illinois, ranking
republican member of the House naval
in the House next Monday a resolution
asking thorough inquiry into the pres
ent status of the navy, with the ul-
innate object of recommending to Con-
gress steps necessary to bring the navy
up to its full strength. j4sa
Britten has decided upon this course
after conference with President Cool.
idge, who, he says, is thoroughly in
favor of the Investigation and Its pur4
pose, and after a series sof conferences
with naval experts who have laid facts
and figures before him.
To Sift All Phases
The investigation, which he esti-
mates may take several weeks. will go
into all phases of naval activity, Brit
ten said, covering the needs as to sub
marines, aviation, flotilla leaders (ships
of less than 10000 tons). naval bases,
steaming radius of all types of yes
sells, gun-fire, and oil reserves. 1t would
be conducted by the naval affairs COM
mittee. =
Meanwhile. Brittenf has initiated 9TH
er steps. He, introduced resolution
in the House Thursday, asking an ap-
preparation of $6,50O,000 for rails
ing the elevation of turret guns on the
navy's first line battleships. He will
appear before the appropriation COM
terest, and said he would attempt to
terest, and said b ewould attempt to
get out a special rule for it's consid-
GRAFTON on the floor, assuring prompt
action.
This action is expected to meet with
objection from Great, Britain, who pro-
tested unofficially when such a recon-
incubation was made by the naval af-
fairs committee in 1922, holding that
it violated the naval limitation treaty.
Upon suggestion of Secretary of the
Navy DENLY, the appropriation was
not made effective until several months
later, SO that England's contention
could be examined, and in the mean
while the next Congress failed to con-
tinue the outlay for elevating the guns.
Macdonald Objects
Britten says it is the opinion Of
Secretary of the Navy Wilbur and his
naval advisers that the United States
is thoroughly within her rights in rails
ing the elevation of her guns. How
ever, Premier Macdonald of Great Brit
ain has recently declared such action
was in conflict with the treaty, and has
opposed other steps now under contem-
plation.
Among these is the reconditioning of
six battleships. consisting of additional
protection against submarines and anti
aircraft armament. and conversion from
coal burning to oil burning. "A bill is
now pending before the House, pro-
viding $1S,300, 900 for this purpose.
Britten says he expects rule from
the rules committed within the next
few days for bringing this measure to
the floor.
Other necessary adjuncts to the navy
needed now, he says, are eight add
tional scout cruisers of 10000 tons
each, to cost $11,O00,0 900 apiece, and
six river boats. costing 100000 each,
to operate in China.
Submarines will come under special
study in the investigation, Britten
plans.
Il want to know" he said, "why we
can't build submarines. We have been
building them for years, but they are
not up to the mark.