Evening star., 1939-01-26

pTODenlentS there.
BY the Associated Press.
Rear Admiral Arthur J. Hepburn
told a congressional committee to-
day this country's position in the
Far East would be rendered stable"
by establishment of strong ad-
vanced fleet base on the Pacific
island of Guam.
Admiral Hepburn, who headed a
special naval board which recon-
mended immediate establishment
OF an airplane and submarine base
on Guam and tWoscoTe other bases,
explained the boards views to the
House Naval Committee.
Emphasizing that the Navy De-
partment had seen fit to recon-
mend only minor improvements at
Guam-expenditure of $1,000 900 for
dredging and other work to facilitate
handling of airplanes-Admiral Hep
burn declared a properly equipped
submarine and air base on the island
was justified from the standpoint
OF defense alone"
Great Defense Aid Seen.
Conceding that international po-
litical considerations were involved
in the question of placing a major
naval base on the tiny island because
OF its proximity to Japan, he said
just submarine and air base would
cut in half" the defense problems
Of the fleet in the Pacific.
The whole problem of defense of
Hawaii and the continental United
States from any attack from the
west" he added. would be reduced
to its simplest terms"
Congressional concern over de-
fense plans for Guam diverted at
tention from the Nays proposal
for immediate ablishment of large
air bases in Florida, Puerto Rico and
Alaska.
The Naval Committee, studying
the proposed s65 100000 air base
program, devoted almost the entire
first day of hearings yesterday tc
questioning Admiral William D
Leahy. chief of naval operations
about the implications of the Guam
project.
Fertilization Intent Denied.
Committee members concentrated
their attention on Guam in the face
of repeated statements from Ad-
miral Leahy that no fortification
Of the island is planned at this time
They evidenced little interest in
the other projects in the program
including two bases at Kodiak and
and Sitka, Alaska. to cost about
sl1 ,625 900; a SIS, iii 900 major air
base near Jacksonville, Fla, and a
secondary base near San Juan,
Porto Rico, to cost SO 10000.
Subjected to a barrage of ques-
tions from Democrats and Republi-
cans alike. Admiral Leahy said a
strong base could be built on Guam
for about S8OOOO,0OO and would be
of enormous benefit" to the defen-
sive power of the United States.
Such a base. he asserted, would
have to be reduced by any foe con-
templating an attack either on
Hawaii or the continental United
States and thus would serve to de-
lay such a move until defensive
steps could be taken.
Sees No Offense to Japan.
Admiral Leahy, in response to
questions, said he saw no reason why
Japan should regard fortification Of
Guam with hostility
Meanwhile, Representative Van
Zandt, Republican, of Pennsylvania,
questioning large armament expen-
ditures by the United States in a
speech in the House, said he saw no
menace to the United States from
Japan.
Japan never has had. not even
in her widest Shinto doctrine, the
least intention of attacking the
United States" said the former ma
tional commander of the Veterans
Of Foreign Wars.
He said the American people "have
a severe case of war jitters."
Indeed" he remarked, "the most
acute case of this universal malady
seems to be suffered by the President