CLOSEST FRIENDSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 47, 25 February 1929, Page 7

CLOSEST FRIENDSHIP.

Important Developments Hinted By Chamberlain. AMBASSADOES SPEECH. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) LONDON", February 24. The Foreign Secretary, Sir Austen Chamberlain, in a speech at Torquay. foreshadowed a new offer from Britain to the United States concerning armaments. Sir Austen said the Government had been engaged for months in a survey of the issues affecting the future relations of Britain and America. When that examination had been

] concluded he wat confident it would i be in the power of ■ the Government, as ; it was its wish, to - make proposals to .' the United States which would place 1 the friendship of ; the two nations on i that firm footing I which not only I was its desire and in its interest, but in the interests of the world at large.

A message from Washington says the British Ambassador, Sir Esme Howard. made a remarkable speech there on Friday on the occasion or" the commemoration of George Washington's birthday.

Sir Esme discussed Anglo-American relations and the Kellogg Pact. He pictured an imaginary conversation between himself and George Washington, in which he said to the general: *I have noticed that in political discussions. about domestic or foreign questions, there is a tendency in the United States, perhaps more than elsewhere, to indulge in somewhat unmeasured language." He read portions of Sir Austen Chamberlain's speech at Birmingham on •January 27', and continued: "Is it not. then, unfortunate that, now on this side, now on that, we have muttering? even of the possibility of war. of sinister design and of ulterior motives, when, judging by the utterances of those in really responsible positions there is no foundation whatever for such stories r" Of the Kellogg Pact. Sir Esme said: •"This treaty has made an incalculable difference to the world's affairs, though the faet is not yet generally recognised. The pact is an instrument which most weiarh heavily in the balance for the cause of peace.'"

NEW U.S. CRUISERS.

APPROPRIATION APPROVED. (Australiaa and N.Z. Press .Association.) WASHINGTON', February 24. The United States Senate yesterday approved an appropriation of £2,474,000 for the commencement of the budMiiig ai the new cruisers.