Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-19
Hearings Indicate Purpose
of Winding Up Testimony
Within Few Days.
RESERVATIONS LIKELY
FROM HALE Committee
Swanson Will Seek Exchange With
Britain for Interpretation Of
Replacement Section.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Confident they have the votes to
ratify the London naval treaty Senate
leaders moved today to hasten toward
conclusion the public hearings begun
week ago.
While Rear Admirals Bristol and
Jones were reiterating their objections
In the course of a technical discussion
OF 8-inch and 6-inch guns, both the
foreign relations and naval committees
indicated a purpose to finish with re-
naming witnesses within the next few
days and get the treaty before the
Senate.
Reservations probably will be present.
ed from the naval committee, and Sem
ator Swanson of Virginia, ranking
Democrat on both committees, said to-
day he would ask for diplomatic ex.
change with Great Britain to clear up
disputed Interpretation Of the replace
ment section. The administration lead.
ers do not expect the opposition, how
ever, to threaten or seriously menace
ratification.
Jones Letter Submitted.
Before the foreign relations commit
tee today Senator Reed of Pennsyl-
vania, one Of the delegates at London,
sought to show that Admiral Jones had
expressed an opinion year ago con-
trary to the stand he now is taking.
Recalling that Jones had told Senators
ne was opposed to the treaty provision
for both S-tnch and 6-inch gun cruis-
ers, Reed presented letter written by
the admiral last June, saying:
There are instances when q 6-inch
gun has an advantage over the s-inch
gun"
els that your optnion9" demanded
Reed.
with certain notifications that is
stu my opinion" said Jones. II would
like to add that letter was written to
find yardstick."
Dispatches Withheld.
Senator johnson, Republican, Can.
fornia, questioned Bristol about some
dispatches Of the general hoard during
the London conference. It was agreed
not to make these public for the present.
johnson also asked about the recon-
nendations made by the board last Sep
TENDER. Finally he announced he
would ask for all the dispatches ex-
changed during the negotiations.
Senator Swanson, Democrat, Virginia,
said he would advocate an exchange Of
notes between Great Britain and the
United States on the replacement clause
to make 1t clear that the British would
not be able to replace 1S6,000 tons OF
6-inch cruisers with 8-inch ships.
Admiral Jones has expressed the opan-
ion that the replacement provision In
the treaty leaves such a loophole.
Asked by johnson If 1t was "neces-
sary to negotiate such treaty." Bristol
said:
"It was not, in my opinion, but am
not speaking as chairman Of the board
now"
why not?" asked Senator Black.
Democrat, Alabama
IT believed that since we had not built
up our Navy since the Washington con-
ference we were not in good position
to go into conference"
do you regard it In your province TO
determine when q treaty shall be
negotiated" demanded Robinson OF
Arkansas.
mo, do not" ....
Then why do you rass upon the
question of when a treaty shall be ne
gotiated?" Numbered Robinson.
LAS an individual feel not only
have q right but feel it Is my duty
to do everything can to have q feet
which Is the fleet we need for the
United States" the admiral said.
Reed Presents Statistics.
Senator Reed presented statistics
showing the cruiser strength of the Brit
ish and Japanese navies at the time the
London Conference opened.
You don't suppose that they would
have quit building to let us catch UP