Imperial Valley press., 1934-01-25
LARGE NAVAL
PROGRAM WILL
Be APPROVED
House Gives Preferred Status
To Vinson Bill Providing For
Huge Construction.
FAVORED BY ROOSEVELT
Navy To Be Expanded To Full
est Strength Under Provisions
Of Treaty.
By HOBART c. MONTEE
United Press staff Correspondent

United Press Sta11 SOrTcSpOnucHe
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25. W.P)-
Plans for bringing the United States
navy to full treaty strength and
strengthening its air forces were
advanced today when the house
rules committee gave preferred sta
tus to the Vinson bill for conStruc-
ton of more than 100 ships over a
five year period.
House leaders planned to put it
up for consideration tomorrow or
early next week. Chairman Vinson
said the replacement program had
President Roosevelt's approval.
The rules committee action fol-
lowed passage yesterday of the reg
ular navy appropriation bill which
also provides for much new con-
structiOn.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25. - Re-
lations of the United States with
Japan were brought to the fore to-
day after passage by the house OF
the naval appropriation bill which
paved the way for the greatest
peace time naval construction pro-
gram in American history.
This bill, carrying an appropria-
ton of 1894, TAI, ,244, provides for
bringing the United States navy to
full treaty strength, to serve as a
spring board for negotiations which
will take place in 1895 when the
next naval limitation conference is
called to discuss revision of the
Washington naval treaty of 1922.
The explosive situation in the far
east and Japan's desire for larg-
er navy than the 5-5-3 ratio pro-
vided in the Washington treaty
were important factors behind the
huge construction program.
American naval officials opposed
any increase in japanese naval
strength, and the squirt in American
naval construction is generally con-
sidered as an effort to give this
country navy of treaty
strength by the time the treaty ex-
pires. This would place the United
States in position to compete in any
naval building race which might
ensue should the Washington treaty
be scrapped and general naval
race start.
The United States has now build
ing % vessels under its regular nav
al construction program, and an
additional 32 vessels authorized un-
der the program made possible by
public work funds. The appropri-
alton bill passed yesterday provides
$1600,OOO with which to start con-
struction on one additional eight
inch gun cruiser and three Six-inch
gun cruisers. This construction
would bring the American navy
practically to treaty strength.
Situation Uneasy
The Vinson bill, not yet acted up
on. would provide 10 replacement
vessels, principally destroyers and
submarines, the majority Of which
are obsolete or rapidly approaching
that condition.
Both state department and navy
officials of this country have been
uneasy over the situation in the far
east ever since Japan started her
military activities in Manchuria in
1881.
Japan's program in Manchuria
has developed serious friction with
the Soviet Russian forces in Siber-
ia, and the whole far eastern area
now is considering as a powder keg
with fuse laid. A serious war in
that area in the near future is con-
sidered a distinct possibility, not
only by officials of this govern
ment but by the foreign officers of
most major powers.
The present building program is
considered by administration lead
ers here as absolutely necessary to
prepare the U. S. navy for eventu-
alities that may take place in the
Pacific.
The Japanese navy is at full
treaty strength, and the British
navy is much nearer to treaty
strength than the United States
navy.