Evening star., 1938-02-15

pond the Mary By 30 per cent OF its
tonnage. GroWinq menace from
abroad brought the request. Hear
tngs on the bill haze reUiued other
defense measures long considered,
one Of the chief ones being bill to
take the profits out OF mdr
Representative Fish, Republican. of
New York told Congress today Great
Britain lin all fairness" needs a big
ser feet than the United States
Testifying before the House Naval
Committee in opposition to the pro-
posed s800,00o,0Oo naval expansion,
the New Yorker reiterated that he
would be willing to see this country
accord Japan naval parity.
He declared Britains far-flung pos
sessions and dependencies, coupled
with the need for keeping trade routes
to them open. justified maintenance
of huge British navy
In all fairness" he said, "Britains
need for a big navy is much greater
than ours. In addition to protecting
her possessions, some of them 10000
miles distant, she has to protect her.
self from neighbors only 100 miles
away"
Reviewing his demand for an imme-
diate international disarmament con-
ference. Mr.. Fish said President
Roosevelt and Secretary Hull had de-
clared they favored such conference,
but that when it comes to action
you find their spokesmen in the
House and Senate opposing any such
move" Representative Fish referred
to assertions yesterday by Representa-
tives McReynolds, Democrat, of Ten
nessee and Senator Pittman. Demo-
orat, of Nevada. chairman of the
House and Senate committee. re-
spectlvely, dealing with foreign af-
fairs, that such conference would be
futile" at this time
Fish Is Shocked.
Representative Mas, Republican. of
Minnesota said he wanted it made
plain that Secretary Hull had not op-
posed entering an armaments limita-
ton conference, but had objected to
this country calling one.
In response to questions by Rep
resentative Church. Republican. of
Illinois Mr.. Fish said he was
shocked" by Mrs Franklin D. Roose-
velt's assertion that the United States
apparently needs to build better naval
and air forces for self-deferse.
Mrs. Roosevelt has represented
the peace-loving people of this country
for many years" Mr. Fish said. but
I'm afraid today she's just another
spokesman for the White House"
Mr.. Mas characterized the ex-
change between Messrs. Church and
Fish as Charlie Mccarthy question
and answer act"
Expressing belief President Roose-
velt is almost ready to fight to pre-
serve peace" Representative Fish de-
clared he was fearful the proposed
expanded Navy would be used for
attack. Although he said he thought
the President was 'idealistic" and not
deliberately trying to lead the country
10 war. Mr., Fish said he believed the
Chief Executive wanted the super
navy" for proper diplomacy"
Approves Flight.
Answering Representative Cole, Re-
publican, of New York MI. Fish said
he believed the United States forced
itself into the celebration of the OPEN
ing OF the new British naval base at
Singapore to which this country sent
three cruisers
On the other hand. Representative
Fish said, the proposed flisht of six
Army bombers to Buenos Aires is "a
perfectly proper thing
Il believe in the Monroe doctrine"
he declared.
Responding to another question,
Mr.. Fish told Mr. Church he thought
the amendment proposed by Chairman
Vlnson to write non-aggression"
policy into the pending bill was "a
harmless gesture
The House Military Affairs Com
mittee met. meanv hile. to approve
legal curhs on protiTeering in any war
which might embroil the United
States.
The legislation would empower the
President to put "ceilingp on prices
in time of war and set up "a system
of taxation which shall absorb all
profits above fair normal return to
be fixed by Congress"
Chairman May, Democrat. of Ken
tucky said the bill probably would be
brought before the House next week
as the first step in carrying out Presi-
dent Roosevelt's national defense
recommendations
AT San Francisco, Rear Admiral
A. j. Hepburn. former feet COM
mander, expressed the opinion that
armies and navies of all world powers
: were double what they should be.
Maverick Opposes Bill.
Admiral Hepburn predicted I'VE
have not seen the end of arms lin,ita-
ton conferences" but congressional
proposals that such conference be
called met rebuff from administration
leutenants. Chairman McReynolds
was among those who said they did
not believe one could be held sue
cessfully at this time.
Mr.. Fish, Senator King, Democrat,
OF Utah, and others had suggested
that the United States summon other
powers to naval conference.
Before going into executive session
to act on the war profits measure, the
Military Affairs Committee took up
bill which Mr.. May said would permit
the training of $4,000 endisted re-