The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-05-12
NAVAL COMPETITION
Of j. 5. AND BRITAIN
OVER, SAYS S7|MS0N
Delegation Did Work Without
Instruction or Interior.
enCe From Hoover
JOHNSON SHOWS HOSTILITY
Secretary Pictures London Ma.
val Pact as Influence on
Will for Peace

Washington. May 2.-PNThe
senate foreign relations committee
heard and accepted today a challenge
by Secretary Stimson for a strict
comparison Of the British and Amer
lean navies under the London naval
treaty.
Concluding an hours explanation o.
the pact. the secretary Of state ham
mered the committee table as he de-
clared the treaty achieved British
American parity In fact as well as
in name.
With Sttmson'S cross examination
reserved until tomorrow, the commit
tee adjourned its public hearing and
then at a closed session decided to
call all OF the high ranking naval
officers who constitute the navy gen.
eral board.
This indicated q broadening of the
hearing program. The general board
members. as well as the admirals who
advised the American delegation in
London, will be asked not only
whether the treaty really insures
British-American equality, but what
the new arrangement with Japan will
mean in technical terms.
Appearing as the committees first
witness at a public session, the secre-
tary related he and his colleagues Of
the American delegation to London
were in agreement on all major sub
jects and did their work without in
structions or interference from Presi-
dent Hoover.
He had been explaining the pact
section by section for more than an
hour before. the. first indication of
hostility interrupted him. Senator
Johnson, Republican, California. who
has said he wants several things
about the treaty fully investigated.
asked whether. the time had come for
questions. Mr. Stimson replied he had
not yet completed. his statement.
He still was on the stand when the
committee adjourned until tomorrow.
q. s. Delegation Agreed
Speaking slowly. and. evenly. while
the committee. listened silently. Slim
son said on. every major question"
there was unanimous agreement in
the American delegation. Only on
VCNAAAAANd1 4O60LlOll0, lC 06lOs
did differences appear.
Reviewing disarmament steps In
past years. the secretary said the
1921 Washington agreement related
"only to the category in which we did
all the sacrificing" Capital ships)
and to aircraft carriers, still expert
mental. Limitations of auxiliary
categories then was found impossible.
Il am citing this just to show the
conditions standing in the way Of get
ting the naval powers to an agree
ment on restricting their navies," said
stimson.
Recalls Old Treaty
The secretary likewise went into
details about the limitation treaty
between Chile and Argentina, nego-
tiated years ago. He said it had been
a stabilizing influence in South Amer
lea.
More important than reduction"
he said, lis the influence Of such trea-
ties on the will to pease. It's a benef-
icent circle working from limita-
tons to confidence and from conf
dence back to further limitations.
He considered the treaty, he said,
a fair agreement" giving assurance
that Great Britain is not building
against the American navy.
Chairman Borah expected the
hearings, held in open session, to be
concluded within q week or 10 days.
with a report to the senate following
Immediately. Senate leaders have
given assurance it will be taken up
at once and have predicted a mini
mum Of two weeks of debate for a
vote is reached.