Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-20
U. S. Will Keep
Pace with Britain
And JapS in Cruisers

washington. Dec. Is - President
Coolidge today served what was rep
resented to be notice onS>the world
that If Great Britain and Japan in
tended to go ahead with cruiser con-
struction, as laid down in programs
now under way, the United States
was ready to keep pace with them.
While there was no formal pro-
nouncement to this effect by the
president. his attitude toward the
powers concerned was reflected in a
bill introduced in the House py
Chairman Butler Of the naval affairs
committee involving an ultimate ex-
penditure of $140,0OO,0O0 for The con-
struction of 10 10.000-ton modern
cruisers, with view to increasing
the strength Of the United States in
this class of armament.
The Butler program, it's author an
nounced, was presented with the
knowledge and approval of President
Coolidge. 1t was drawn as the re-
suit of a White House conference
held last night, when figures were
submitted to the President that con-
WINGED him that in view of the light
cruiser construction authorized BY
Great Britain and Japan, since the
conclusion of the Washington arms
conference and the heavy expendi-
lures for warships made by France
and Italy since 1923, the cruiser
strength of the American navy must
be augmented to prevent this coun-
try dropping to third or fourth
place among naval powers.
President Coolidge's endorsement
OF the 10-cruiser program came as a
great surprise to most leaders in
Congress, in view of, the statement
in his budget message that no esti-
mates had been included for the con-
struction of three cruisers author
lied in 1924, because of belief that
II work on them was begun it might
prove embarrassing in pending me-
gotiations for another international
conference for the elimination Of
competition in naval ornaments.
In last nights conference, in which
the President was joined by Repre-
sentative Butler Of Pennsylvania.
Andrew of Massachusetts,, vinson of
Georgia and Drewry of Virginia, all
members of the house naval COM
mittee, the opinion was expressed by
at least one of the callers that at
least four powers were violating the
spirit of the Washington treaty, AMI
that 1t was incumbent on the United
States, If it would assure it's safety,
to lay down building programs fair
ly comparable to those of Great
Britain, Japan, Italy and France. 1t
is the understanding that this
thought prompted the President to
give his assent to the 10 cruiser bill
Section 2 of the Butler bill, which
will be reported to the House next
week, leaves it within the power of
the President to suspend the cruiser
program in whole or in part at any
time that an arms conference may be
called. 1t reads:
THAT in the event of an interna-
tional conference for the limitation of
naval ornaments, the President is
hereby empowered, in his discretion,
to suspend in whole or in part any or
all construction authorized by this
act"
This provision was adopted, it was
said, at the suggestion of the Presi-
dent, who wanted to be free under
the bill to take such action as he
deemed appropriate should an arms
conference be held either under the
auspices of the League of Nations or
on the initiative of some power or
powers irrespective of the leagues
endeavors to his direction.
Section l authorizes the President
to undertake the construction of 10
scout cruisers carrying protection
and armament suited to their size
and type, to have the highest prac-
ticable speed and the greatest desir-
able radius Of action, and to cost, ex-
elusive of armor and armament, mot
to exceed S10,500,000 each," or a total
of $105, 100000. The armor and
armament, it is estimated, would in
crease the total cost by sS5,000,000 or
$3,500,000 for each ship.
The Butler bill expressly states
that the construction of the vessels
herein authorized shall be subject to
the limitations prescribed by the
treaty limiting naval armament rati-
fed Aug. II, 1922" That treaty
stopped the building of capital ships
in excess Of 10000 tons. and that will
be the tonnage limit on ships carried
by the Butler bill.