LIMITATION OF NAVIES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19057, 20 July 1927, Page 11

LIMITATION OF NAVIES.

GENEVA SCHEME EXPLAINED.

BRITAIN'S INTERESTS SAFEGUARDED.

(bt cable— press association— copihioht). ;atjstbaliaS and n.z. cable association.)

(Received July 19th, 7.15 p.m.) GENEVA, July 19.

A British expert has explained that though there will be total tonnage limits for cruisers and destroyers taken together, within the ambits of this there will be restrictions by ratio of the largest cruisers and those powerful 10,000 ton vessels with eight-inch guns, which the United States originally seemed to want to build in unlimited numbers. Furthermore, though the total tonnages have been reduced, leaving out of consideration certain more or less obsolete ships in all three navies, their retention will be subject to special conditions and there will be definite limits in the size and gunpower of all replacements. Above all, Britain's need of large numbers of small cruisers for policing trade routes will be safeguarded. EARL JELLICOE RETURNS TO LONDON. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. AND SUN CABLE.) (Received July 19th, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Earl Jellicoe has returned to London owing to tha serious illness of his brother, the Rev. Frederick Jellicoe, from blood poisoning in a leg which has been amputated. SIR JOSEPH COOK HOPEFUL. (AUSTBALIAN AjfD N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received July 19th, 7.15 p.ml) ' LONDON, July 18. Sir Joseph Co6k, who has returned for a short visit to London, said he was ■ convinced the Geneva Conference would not "separate without reaching an agreement. AGREEMENT NEAR. THE WEEK-END DISCUSSIONS. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

GENEVA, July 18,

The week-end discussions between the British and Japanese delegations resulted in such definite progress that all three headquarters admit to-day that the conference is nearer a tripartite agreement than it ever has been. The heads of the three delegations' left Geneva this morning and.. iiad a secret conclave at a private residence in the environs, returning at lunch time, when the Americans issued a communique non-commitally announcing that the attempts made since the plenary session to bridge the difference between Britain and Japan had 'progressed sufficiently to warrant further examination of the matter of details.' The British interpretation of the position goes a good deal further, hinting that accord between the two countries in principle had been handed over to the Americans as a fait accompli. It is understood that the Americans have asked for 24 hours before stating whether they can accept this as a basis for the proposed treaty. The British delegates are most confident that though the United States may raise objection on minor points, it is likely to approve of the main provisions, and if it does, the success will be due to the perseverance of British diplomacy. Following on last week's plenary session the Right Hon. W. C. Bridgeman and Viscount Cecil evolved a compromise to the propositions cabled on Friday, which will be the basis of the agreement. i