Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-23

President Hoover's policy Of economy
in Government expenditures Is COM
nended by the country but the budget
Of the Navy Department. as prepared by
Secretary Adams in response to the Ex-
ecutive's statement of his program. ) is
received with varying opinions 1t is
declared that the reductions proposed
will be likely to produce debate in Con-
gress. The assumption that certain
naval stations will be affected is &C
companied by predictions of protests
because of local conditions.
The reduction is discussed by the
Oakland Tribune in the light of the
coming conference at Geneva, and that
paper suggests that when the United
States. with a program for 1888 Of
S340 900, 900. announces 1t will withhold
plans for spending S6l,o000o0 in addi-
ton, and does so with the conference
in mind, 1t cannot be accused Of scut-
ting the lyavy" The Tribune adds that
less than one-sixth of contemplated
program for two years hence is being
held back until there is world express
sion Of intention"
THE big Navy group. of course. pro-
tests" says the Buffalo Evening News.
but the weight of public opinion
strongly approves this measure Of econ
omy." The Evening News believes that
LIE OI1lItu oGdlcS, dS tliC IlNllCcb NOAAI-
try in the world, has opportunity to
set the world an example by adopting
the Pre5idents program, which calls for
a slackcning of pace in armament con-
structior" The Louisville Courier
Journal, OBSERVING that flush times are
over" and extravaganza is a thing of
the past" advises. THE present calls
for readjustment. Whether or not Eng
land has larger navy than the United
States is not the question. The Gov
eminent must be put on a business
basis, and. this can be done only by
strict economy or crushing taxation"
y \
Pointing out that the reduced naval
budget is at present but tentative
that it is to be considered under the
law of necessity" and that 1.-The cuts
are justified only as enforced economy,
the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
states: 1T is possible that some of
these cuts may not be enforced when
the budget finally shall be made UP.
But this. naval program of necessity
Is an instructive exhibit to put before
the people at this time. to impress on
the public mind what need and ade-
quate economy mean"
Holding that the national defense
must be considered, the South Bend
Tribune argues: IF the United States
had been strengthening its permanent
defenses In the Is or 20 years. the
people who believe they have practical
grounds for opposition to expansion in
the next Is or 20 years would be in a
stronger position. Instead, paciflsm,
carelessness and short memory have
kept American defenses far short of
adequacy. World economic lead
ership has come to the United States.
and that increases American defense
obligations" The Danbury Evening
News contends: Whatever we do, it
is certain we should not further cut
down our Navy. You cannot improvise
a navy. You cannot make a compe-
tent sailor within a few hours. The
only sure way to take adequate care
of our shores is to maintain an eff
Gent, alert, ably-manned Navy"
Warning as to the cost of unpre-
paredness is given by the San Antonio
Express, with the statement: The
United States should not allow its
Navy again to become an array Of anti
uuated vessels. It's position as the
Wealthiest nation demands that it keep
abreast of the times in warship con-
struction, as in naval and military
aviation, ordnance and general equip
ment for ground troops. There Is no
danger that the United States will
pile up great ornaments which would
menace any other power. 1t always
has been unaggressive, and every war
in which it has engaged has found it
unprepared for immediate action.
Those costly experiences - covering
more than a century - should bring
about a consistent naval program to
be effectuated steadily"
The possible effect on the scheduled
conference Is considered by the New
London Day, and that paper voices the
opinion: with the naval situation In
the United States at the point where