DISARMAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 166, 14 July 1914, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

BRITAIN'S PROPOSALS. A LUKEWARM RECEPTION. (Times and Sydney Son Services.) LONDON, July 13. During the Foreign Office debate in tho House of Commons yesterday. Sir Edward Grey said the Government had done its host to promote disarmament. "1 cannot say there has been much response on the part of the other European countries." he said. "Direct suggestions for reduction have been unsuccessful, being regarded as attempts to limit and control the freedom of action of foreign countries and being resented accordingly." ln some cases the relations with the gr»at Powers had improved, he continued. All had stood the strain of the Balkan wars better than anticipated. Tlie most notable thing last year had been not the naval but the military increases. Wiiiile Germany turned down Britain's ofTer to reduce armaments or to take a year's naval holiday, the Foreign Secretary recently stated that Germany's Relationships to England could be de scribed as exceedingly good. The relief of the tension and the rapprochement continued to make The relationships of the two Cabinets were absolutely trustful.' Further, the fundamental tone of public opinion had altered from what it was a few years ago. One could nut be blind to the fact that a certain change had taken place in Mie general feeling. 11l both countries the conviction had gained ground that they could on many points and questions work with and beside one another, and that their interests frequently coincided. Even of recent time? the proceedings iv the Balkans and the negotiations in London 'had contributed much to this. England had been able to convince herself that an aggrc&sivr policy would not be pursued from tlic tiide of Germany. Together jvitii England, Germany bad l.een able to cooperate in mediating between the two group*, of Powers and avoiding international conflicts. From this certain nippioohemcnts had resulted. The re lations between the two Cabinets were confiding and frank, and inspired by mutual Moreover, il'ii'ar. known, negotiations were proceeding 3c to individual questions. These negotiations, which were governed by a desire to avoid anatouisms oi interest in tlie fields of commercial and colonial political rivalry, were following their course, but had not yet been completed. Many wishes and counter-wishes had to lie weighed against one anotiiie:, and tlie interests of oilier States were also involved. It cotnd bo expoclod that the result, even if it was not proof againit all criticism, would be received with satisfaction in both countries. With respect to the holiday year in shipbuilding, Herr yon Jagow confirmed the statement of the Naval Minister that official proposals had not reached ' Ihe German Government. It seemed to him. too. that it would be difficult, tn find a method of realising Mr. Churchill's proposal, which, moreover, to his knowledge had not met with a particularly friendly reception from English public opinion.