Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-08-08
Navy
Wilbur s
PROGRAM
To Confer With Coolidge
Regarding Building Up
of DefenSes.
PRESIDENT IS BUSY
Perplexed BY Problems
Which Have Come Up
in Last Few Days.
By PAUL R. MALLON
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent

RAPID CITY, s. D., Aug. s.
Secretary of the Navy Wilbur ar
rives here today to talk over with
President Coolidge the future pro-
gram of the Navy following the
break down Of the Geneva Arms
Limitation Conference.
The United Press is informed that
the navy department already has
worked out a project for building
up the naval strength on basis
commensurate with the British naval
program.
The American scale would provide
20 additional 10000 ton cruisers in
Guiding eight now under construct
ion or authorized. 1t also would pro-
vide more capital ships to replace
those which will be considered OBJ
solntc in 1881.
Wilbur long has been an advocate
of strong navy. In the face of
the Presidents demand for curtail-
ment he has--as all other navy
secretaries in history-insisted that
foreign powers have an edge on this
country and that the United States
should strengthen its sea force.
Mr.. Coolidge was not surprised at
the collapse of the Geneva confer
ence. He knew it was coming five
days before the complete break
down was officially made known.
At that time he served warning
that the United States could not be
pledged to any program which in
creased the strength Of the navics
of the world over the preser;
status.
The President wanted eurtai!
ment Of economy and tax reductiot
but now that his effort has failel
he has refused to make known hit
intentions. 1t is generally admitted
that the United States does not ex-
rect to enter naval race with
Rritain or any other country but
that she must take steps to protect
her vast coast.
There is certain to be big navy
fight in the next congress when the
naval appropriations bill comes up.
1t is expected to be complicated
by bills for immediate increase Of
the American naval strength to bal
ance that of great Britain.
Wilbur's arrival added more, sub
;ects for discussion by the Presi-
dent than he has crowded into one
days time in recent years. The
Sacco-Vanzetti bombings il the east
are causing comment and the Presi-
dent also is perplexed by the pro-
blem of choosing successor to
Governor General Leonard Wood OF
the Philippines who died Saturday
in Boston.
Most prominent among those men,
toned as successor 10 Wood are
Carmi Thompson of Ohio, who made
personal investigation of the Isl
ands for the President; Henry l..
Stimson, personal negotiator for Mr..
Coolidge in Nicaragua; former
Senator Rice Means of Colorado.
Others include Frank V. Hodges,
treasurer of the Republican Nat
iCnal Committee, former Senator
James w. Wadsworth, New York,
and former Senator Irwin l.. Lenroet
of Wisconsin.
In view of the comment against
tie Sacco-Vanzetti execution the
President is more carefully guarded
now than at any time since he be-
came the nations chief executive.
The entire summer detail Of white
house secret service men is on duty
in addition to so soldiers from Fort
Meade.
The guard now resembles that of
war times. When Mr.. Coolidge went
to church Sunday detail of secret
service men went ahead to search
the church.