USA. PLEASED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 154, 2 July 1927, Page 9

USA. PLEASED.

EQUAL WITH BRITAIN. Parity Admitted In NaviU Power. OPTIMISM At GENEVA. (British Official tireless.) (Received 12 noon.) R-UGfiY, July 1;

Although the responsible represent tative of the United States Government had not accepted the widely canvassed report that Britain challenges the American fight to parity lii regard to any particular class of warship, Secretary of State* Mr. F\ B; Kellogg* has expressed publicly hie gratification that these misapprehensions have been precluded By the assurance given at Geneva by the -First Lord of the Adthiraltv, Mf\ W. C. Bridgeman, and Viscount Cecil* members of the British delegation at the Naval Limitation Conference; It is generally agreed at Geneva that there are excellent prospects of a satisfactory solution of the differences regarding all classes of vessels, including capital ships. Vaiitahie progress was made hy the Technical Committee yesterday Wheii a provisional agreement* was reached as to the characteristics of destroyers and ! destroyer leaders for future construe- ! tidn. Characteristics of submarines and gUus j are being discussed this tiiofuihg. j A correspondent says that the work S of the committee Bas led to ihtich fuller ! classification of warships fof the 5 pufj riose of liuiitatiori .thai! was at flrSt hij tenipted. Arty Scheme of classification ; was originally propounded as impracticable, but the British delegation produced a system of tabulating ali normal fjrp§s of war vessels that |id to foria the natal forces of any country, and it is largely upon this seheine that the conference is wdrkittg. Capital Snips. The Technical Committee of the conference has made such material advance towards agreement on questions relating to auxiliary craft that British eireies now hope the subject of capital ships will be taken up before ldng. the British delegation's prbpdsais regarding this class ate:—(l) The redtic tidn of tonnage from 33*000 td jJO,OOO limit;; (2) reduction of guns from 16 inch to 13.5-incfi; and (3) tße lengthen ihg of life of battleships from 20 td 26 years. In support of these proposals, it is nrgid that if the three Powers concerned agree thus to carry £ stage ftfrther the limitations prescribed i& the Washing"ton Treaty, their action would provide a striking proof of sincerity Ifl the eattse of armament diminution add would, moreover* lead td very substantial economy. __ It is* of course, intended that the British proposals should be adjusted so as hot to effect in any way the balance id regard to the capitap #hf{> ratio, which was agreed to in Washington. It is hoped that a clear understanding of this fact, coupled With the |(rttiah delegation's frank declaration that they hate no desire to question the United States' Claim id parity with Great Britain on any class of Vessel, Will facilitate discussion of this subject. it is understood that the Japanese are id principle inclined td regard with fivour tße British proposals of capital ships.