Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-10

He suggested also that the Geneva
discussions, initiated by the League
of Nations, are threatened with dead
lock il the powers proceed along their
present lines of negotiations.
Sees No Land-Air Threat.
So far as land and air armaments
are concerned the President evi-
denced a willingness to let foreign
powers work out an agreement of
their own. The land and air forces
of the United States, he said, are at
a minimum and constitute threat
to no one"
The message fell upon Congress
without warning, in the midst Of a
controversy over the construction OF
three new cruisers. Overriding the
Presidents recommendations the Sen
ate has voted to authorize this con-
struction, and the House, although II
once has rejected the proposal, ap-
pears somewhat disposed to accept
the Senate viewpoint in conference.
Some of the most influential leaders
of the Presidents own party, includ-
ing Speaker Longworth, have thrown
their support behind the building
plan.
Should Mr.. Coolidge's suggestion be
accepted by the powers, and treaties
negotiated to carry 1t into effect,
cruisers would be one of the classes
of ships directly affected by any
limitation agreed upon.
Effect Not Yet Apparent.
Sent to the Capitol by messenger,
the special message was read in Sen
ate and House early in today's session.
but the possible effect on the three
| 10 t0Ix a N.
parent.
Great secrecy had been observed in
preparation and transmission of the
American note to the powers. Ap-
parently only very small handful of
Senators or Representatives had any
inkling of the move until the message
reached the Capitol, and some mem
bers of the cabinet expressed surprise
when they heard of it.
Arrangements had been made, how
ever, for publication of the note
through the American embassies
abroad simultaneous with delivery of
the Presidents message to Congress.
The text of the note to the powers
was included in the message to Con-
gress. 1t said in part:
although hesitating at this time to
nut forward rigid proposals as regards
~
maintained by the different powers,
the American Government for it's
part is disposed to accept, in regard
to those classes of vessels not COW
cred by the Washington treaty, an
extension of the $50 ratio as re-
CARDS the United States, Great Britain
and Japan, and to leave to discussion
at Geneva the ratios of France and
Italy, taking into full account their
special conditions and requirements
in regard to types of vessels in
question.
Capital Ship Ratio Cited.
"Ratios for capital ships and air.
craft carriers were established by that
treaty, which would not be affected
in any way by the agreement cover
ing other classes of ships"
The American delegates at Geneva
would have full powers to negotiate
definitely regarding measures for
further naval limitation, and If they
are able to reach an agreement with
the representatives of the other sigma
tories of the Washington treaty to
conclude a convention embodying
such agreement, in tentative or final
form as may be found practicable"
1.-The American Government, the
President said, and people are con-
vinced that competitive armament
constitutes one of the most dangerous
contributing causes of international
suspicion and .discord and are cal
culated eventually to lead to war"
Building Programs Mentioned.
Despite the hope of the United
States to complete the work of the
Washington treaty and extend limit
ing treaties to cover cruisers, destroy
ers and submarines, the message con-
tinued, ''far-reaching building pro-
grams have been laid down by certain
powers, and there has appeared in
our own country, as well as abroad, a
sentiment urging naval construction
on the ground that such construction
Is taking place elsewhere"
Actually. do not believe that COM
uetitive building of these classes of
ships has begun" the President said
The President added, however, that
in such sentiments as he had referred
to ''lies the germ of renewed naval
competition"
Plans Sent to Four Nations.
The text of the message follows:
To the Congress of the United States:
Pursuant to my instructions, the
American Ambassadors at London.
-