Evening star., 1938-02-07
LEAHY SAYS NAVY
|S|NDEPENDENT0F
FOREIGN ALLIANCE
Admiral Tells House Com.
mittee u. S. Forces Have
No "Commitments."
SEEKS LARGER FLEET
FOR DEFENSE ONLY
Hull's Offer to Take Part in Arms
Reduction Plan Arouses
Interest.
Ps the Associated Press.

ES the Associated Press.
Admiral William D Leahy, chief of
naval operations, told the House Naval
Committee today that the Navy ey-
poets to solve its defense problems
without alliances" and has no for
elgn commitments
Asserting he wished to clear up arv
misunderstanding that may have
arisen from his previous assertions. the
Navy's highest ranking officer said:
The Navy has no thought Of OBJ
tanning assistance from am other ma
ton. 1t has no thought of giving as
sistance in the solution of the prob
lens of any other nation.
1T has no foreign commitments.
There are no UNDERSTANDINGS re-
garding assistance to be given or re-
ceived
There has been no talk Of giving.
or receiving. assistance.
Admiral Leahys refusal last week 10
disclose publicly the nature of discus
slons Capt. Robert Ingersoll. head of
the Navy War Plans Divisions. had
recently with the British Admiralty
had brought speculation in congress
slonal circles as to possible under
standing with Britain.
Admiral Leahy's categorical denial
Of any commitment to any foreign ma
ton was given in testimony on legisla-
ton to authorize $500 100000 naval
expansion program.
Planes Declared Urgent.
Admiral Leahy told the committee
the most urgent improvement" needed
in the Nations air defense was in in
crease in naval patrol planes and their
tenders. He also urged authorization
for more minesweepers. minelayers.
fleet tugs, oil tankers and a survey
ship.
None Of these types OF auyiIiaries
are covered by the bill in its present
form and Admiral Leahy suggested
that, If necessary, they be provided
by cutting down the number Of
destroyer tenders. repair ships and
submarine tenders proposed BY one
each.
II authority is not obtained now
for these vessels" he said, "it will be
necessary for the Navy to request of
Congress in the near future, and be-
fore all the vessels authorized by the
bill are commenced. that authority be
granted to acquire or construct these
vessels in addition to those authorized
in the present BILL
Peacetime Program.
Although he said the Navy would
need large numbers of auxiliary vessels
in wartime. Admiral Leahy said the
proposed program would provide ONLY
those essential to service the fleet in
time of peace.
The Maritime Commission has been
most cooperative" he said. in
building ships that will be of use to
the Navy in the event of war. Re-
Gently contracts have been let for
IA cargo ships and IL tankers, and 20
additional ships OF various types are
planned"
Emphasizing the need for efficient
auxiliaries, Admiral Leahy said they
should have speed of Is knots or
more, or else they and the warships,
which have to slow their pace to ac-
commodate the speed of the auxil-
iaries, would be easy prey for sub
marines"
AZ Auxiliary Vessels Asked.
To meet the projected 20 per cent
increase in combatant ship tonnage,
Admiral Leahy said the Navy should
have AZ additional auxiliary vessels
He segregated them as follows; De-
stroyer tenders, S; submarine tenders,
8; seaplane tenders Qarge). 4,
(smalD, I; repair ships, 3; mine
layers, 2; minesweepers S; feet tugs,
S. survey ship, /; oil tankers, 4;
hospital ship. /, and store ships, 2.
In denying any foreign alliances.
Admiral Leahy said the Navy intends
Ito stand on its own feet in providing
protection to the United States, and it
expects to succeed"
He said it had been his endeavor
throughout the hearing to convey the
Navys understanding that the pro-
posed legislation lis simply to author
ize sufficient Navy to provide pro-
lection to the United States and its
island possessions against attack by
any single foreign naval power. an
increase having been made necessary
because of the increased naval pro-
grams Of other nations"
No Particular Possible Enemy.
He said the Navy did not have in
mind any particular possible enemy,
but does consider all foreign navies
in its study of necessary defenses.
Replying to question from Repre-
sentative Mas. Republican, of Min
nesota, the admiral sail large part