Washington, Feb. 4.
Admiral W. D. Leahy,' Chief of Naval Operations, to-day refused to inform the House of Representatives Naval Affairs Committee whether an agreement exists between the Uniteo States and Britain for naval cooperation in case of war.
Questioned directly regarding re-paris of such an agreement, Admira Leahy said he could not answer because such.natters were "absolutel: secret and vital to the interests o this country."
"I will make no statement in this connection in public hearings," Admiral Leahy said. "....I will reply to those questions in an executive session of this Committee.... Then I will tell you all about it.
The Naval Affairs Committee is conducting hearings on the Vinson Navy Bill which would increase the strength of the United States Navy by a flat 20 per cent. Admiral Leahy to-day was questioned for the fifth consecutive day in connection with the bill and has told the Committee that even the 20 per cent. increase in naval strength provided by the son Bill would be insufficient to enable the Navy to defend both American coasts against invasion in the event of a simultaneous attack from the east and west.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.