NAVAL REDUCTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 141, 26 March 1928, Page 5

NAVAL REDUCTION

PROPOSALS BY BRITAIN. RELATION TO CAPITAL SHIPS. NOTE TO THREE POWERS. (Per Press- Association—Copyright.) GENEVA, March 24. Lord Cushendun has addressed a Note to the American, French, and Japanese representatives at, the Disarmament Commission, explaining that when replying to M. Litvinoff he was compelled to refer indefinitely to Britain’s readiness to reduce the size of her capital ships. He was now able to reveal the British proposals: Firstly, the reduction of battleships from 35,000 tons to under 30,000; secondly, the iedueti.m of guns from 16-inchers to 13.2mchers; and, thirdly, an extended life from 20 to 26 years or thereabouts, involving the waiving of the Power’s rights under the Washington Treaty. He urges that the reductions, if accepted, should be introduced, to enable their coming into effect before replacement.

Lord Cushendun adds that ihe proposals are a great step toward disarmament, and would ensure considerable economies.

THE CRUISER PROBLEM.

DISCUSSION MAY BE RESUMED. (A.P.A. and “Sun” Cables.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, March 25. In view of the presence of Mr Gibson (United States) at Geneva, Lord Cushendun’s offer of a naval reduction is dramatic. If an agreement is reached on the subject of capital ships it is reasonable to expect that the discussion on cruisers will be resumed.'

GERMAN CRITICISM OF LEAGUE.

“POSTPONING DISARMAMENT.” i (Received This Day, 1.55 p.m.) BERLIN, March 25. General disarmament is an obligation toward' the German people, and cannot be postponed without impossibly straining Germany’s patience, say 9 a semi-official newspaper, reflecting on. the official attitude of the recent session of the Disarmament Conference at Geneva. It adds: Germany fails to understand why the other side is avoiding its obligations. The newspapers generally support Count Bernstorff’s outburst at the meeting on Friday. The “Tigliche Rundschau” says that if the League is incapable of carrying out disarmament, it is of no use to anybody. If the other Powers do not discharge their obligations, Germany will be released of lier’s.

The Nationalist newspapers . freely use the word “sabotage,” saying that apparently the Disarmament Committee’s main object was to postpone disarmament.