Rapids (City, Aug.-9, Phestdent Coolidge has'approved a programme of new construction for the Navy involving probably the building of 12 cruisers each 10,000 tons "displacement and. with a main armament of eight-inch guns,""in. addition to eight similar }vessels which are already under construction.
Later.
President Coolidge's approval of] the programme, which, it is intimate 1d, the President considers moderate adequate for The nation's de-_ fence, followed a conference with Mr. Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy Department.
Tt is. believed that "full-speed Jahead" has been ordered as regards the construction of the eight additional cruisers sanctioned by iCongress, the keels of two of which have already been laid, and it has Jbeen decided that the whole eight shall be launched within three years, if ready.
Mr. "Wilbur has issued
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.