Evening star., 1935-04-25
HOPES FOR NAVAL +"
CONFERENCE.-THE
European Saber. .Rattling
Causes U. S. to Lay .
Plans Aside.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Americas hopes of a 1885 naval
limitations conference, on which
House leaders pinned faith in halving
funds for new warships, were described
in official quarters yesterday as swiftly
evaporating in the heat of European
sabre -rattling.
This development came as the S458,-
100000 naval appropriation bill churn-
ed through House talk toward a Wig
orous struggle to restore the S29,380,-
600 originally asked by the Navy for
laying down "a more vessels in the
next financial year.
Despite a provision in the London
naval treaty for a new conference in
1895, authoritative quarters yesterday
believed such meeting impossible.
The State Department officially would
refer only to the complete absence. so
far of diplomatic discussions or corre-
spondence looking to a conference.
Two Pacts Expiring.
What this situation meant to those
fighting for the new ship money
which the House Appropriation Com
mittee cut to SIS 0,000-and they
included Secretary Swanson-was
that after December 81, in the absence
of new conference, both the Wash
ington and London naval pacts will
have expired, the former because it
has been denounced by Japan.
Swanson said the bill before the
House authorizes us to carry on" the
24-ship program. but gives us only
six months money" He said he
would defer a decision on starting all
"a ships unless the full $29380, 900
was restored.
A move in this direction already
was charted by Representative De-
laney, Democrat. of New York, veteran
Of the Naval Committee, though
Chairman Vinson of that group said
it would be simple enough to push
through deficiency appropriation
when needed in the future.
Maverick Offers Resolution.
AS the controversy crystalized. Rep
reSentative Maverick. Democrat, O.
Texas labeled the Navy Department
stumbling block to peace" and sub
mitted to the House a resolution to
commit the Nation to a policy Of peace
and neutrality.
Maverick would forbid the use of
military or naval forces against an
other power for any purpose except
to protect the United States and its
possessions from armed invasion. bar
loans and sales Of munitions to bellig-
erent nations and restrict travel of
Americans in war zones
Since an Appropriations Subcommit-
tee first began working on it. the
naval construction fund has been un-
dergoing chameleonlike changes.
The administration. the Navy and
the Budget Bureau recommended
S29 100000 to start work on "a more
vessels in the next fiscal year. The
subcommittee. with numerous members
from inland States, decided half that
much money and half that many ships
would suffice.
Committee Forced to Yield.
The administration. irked. suggested
it would be a good idea to put both
figures back where they were originally
and began turning on the pressure.
Finally the subcommittee. in what
member of the full Appropriations
Committee termed a face saving"
move. determined to let the so per cent
cut in funds stand, but to give the
Navy authority to contract for all "a
vessels if it preferred and then seek
deficiency appropriation in the next
session.
Vinson, a naval leader for years. said
he was mot going to offer any amend
ment to increase the construction fund
because the bill gives us everything We
want anyhow"