Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-28
LAST OPPONENTS
OF TREATY HEARD
Favorable Report on Naval
Pact Expected by Foreign
Relations Committee.

The last of the witnesses summoned
by opponents of the naval treaty were
heard today before the Senate foreign
relations committee, and hearings will
be closed tomorrow. A favorable report
is expected soon thereafter.
After two more naval officers had
assaileo the treaty, Senator johnson
of California, who called them, said
he was through. Senator Reed of
Pennsylvania wants to examine tomor-
row two members of the technical staff
at London-Rear Admiral H. E. Yarnell
and Capt. w. w. Smith.
The naval committee has not indi-
Gated when it will end its hearings, but
these are not expected to delay for
eign relations committee report.
Rear Admiral S. S. Robson, super
intendent OF the Naval Academy, said
before the foreign relations committee
the only favorable place for the 6-inch
gun was in surprise action.
Adding that in "other ways the g.
inch gun is not in it, he said the
United States has abandoned the 5-3
ratio with Japan in all classes except
capital ships.
Rear Admiral n. E. Coontz, retired,
who appeared before the naval COM
mittee, dealt largely with the Washing
ton Arms Treaty of 1921. He said that
giving up island bases in the Pacific
under that pact was a disadvantage and
any increase in the SIS ratio with
Japan would be harmful to the United
States.
Reed InterpOses.
Senator Reed Of Pennsylvania, dele
gate to the London Conference, inter-
posed after Admiral Robson said he
would have to look up the present
strength OF the British and American
Navies.
Coming in to- criticize this treaty. I
presumed you knew that" remarked
Reed.
II beg your pardon, sir" replied the
admiral, II didn't come in to criticize
the treaty. I came in to tell what I
knew"
Reed protested Robisons assertion
that America had abandoned the 5--3
ratio with Japan.
when this conference met we had
one 8-inch cruiser in commission, and
Japan had eight" asserted Reed. THE
treaty surely can't abandon 5-3 ratio
when such a ratio, l8; already exists"
When Robison's views were contrast
ed with those of Admiral William V.
Pratt, commander chief of the
United States fleet, Admiral Robson
leaned over the table and said
Admiral Pratt until very recently. was
of the same opinion as l am"
Pratt had defended the treaty and
6-inch gun cruisers.
BOrah Expects Approval.
Senator johnson of California be-
lleves his list of witnesses before the
foreign affairs committee would be ex-
hausted in all probability by the close
OF tomorrowS hearings. Chairman
Borah hopes to bring the pact to a
committee vote shortly afterward, with
indications that it will be approved by
an overwhelming majority.
johnson, who has shown a DISPOSE
ton to oppose ratification of the treaty,
has called numerous naval officers be-
fore the committee for an expression of
their opinion Of the principal point in
dispute, the comparative efficacy and
value to America of 8-inch-gun cruisers
as contrasted with vessels carrying g.
inch ornaments.
The treaty limits the United States
to 18 curiSers of the former type,
three less than the number advocated
by the Nays general board and five
less than the total already authorized
by Congress. At the same time it per-
mits the expansion of this countrys
fleet of 6-inch-gun cruisers beyond the
point proposed by the general board.
See Departure From Policy.
In these circumstances the big Navy
bloc suspects there may lie a departure
from approved and established naval
construction policy. The naval officers
summoned by johnson were called also
Ia
chairman, Hale of Maine, holds a view
similar to that of the Californian.
The treaty is to be taken up by the
Senate at a special session which Presi-
dent Hoover plans to call after Congress
has adjourned.