BRITISH NAVAL POLICY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19675, 19 July 1929, Page 11

BRITISH NAVAL POLICY.

THE GOVERNMENT'S DILEMMA.

EFFECT OF REDUCTION ON EMPLOYMENT. (CiflTKB PBEBS ASBOCIATIOIC BT EI.SCTSIO TELIGBAFH —COPYRIGHT, i (Received July 18th, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, July is. Nothing is causing the Government greater anxiety than naval policy. It is now understood th- Mr Mac Donald is going to America in the autumn to confer with President Hoover. The date and place are now being discussed through diplomatic channels. The "Daily Chronicle" says the fate of the Singapore Base is unlikely to he decided before the naval negotiations. The question of dropping submarines is presenting a difficulty of another kind, arising mainly from the strategy of the lesser naval "Powers, which refuse to sacrifice what they consider an economical defence. As regards the building programme generally, the Government are on the horns of a dilemmr They are anxious to cut down, yet realise that to reduce the programme means less work at a time when they are most anxious to increase employment. —Australian Press Association.

MR A. V. ALEXANDER REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. (BRITISH OFFICIAL V.ISELISS.) RUGBY, July 17. The First Lord of th© Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, stated in the House of Commons to-day that the Prime Minister intended to make a pronouncement in Parliament upon the whole question of naval armament before th© summer recess. Lieutenant-Commander Kenyvorthy asked what was the position with regard to the British proposal, now supported by the American Government, lor the lllegalising of the submarine by mutual agreement, and whether the First Lord was considering tho renewal of this proposal at the nest conference on naval armaments. Mr Alexander replied that the declaration of the British Empire delegation remained the opinion of the Government, but until other nations acceded to this opinion no agreement was possible. The possibilty of reaching an agreement on this matter was constantly borne in mind by the Government and a re-statement of the British Government's opinion would be made at the first available moment. Answering another question Mr Alexander said that no decision could yet be communicated regarding further construction of the battleship base at Singapore. A number of important and difficult matters concerning other departments had to be considered, and no decision could be taken without consultation. He could not say if a decision could be reached before the summer recess.

FOREIGN POLICY. ATTITUDE TOWARDS BALKAN PROBLEMS. (BBITI3S OmCIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, July 17. The Foreign Secretary was asked whether he would, in accordance with Article XI. of the Covenant of the League of Nations, use his position as a member of the Council to get a conference of Balkan nations with a view to a settlement of the major outstanding problems between those nations. Mr Arthur Henderson replied that regarding the recent tension along the Jugo-Slav-Bulgarian frontier he preferred to assume for tne present that the two governments concerned would be able to remove it by direct negotiations without the intervention of the League. Replying to another question Mr Henderson said that he was. prepared to restore the practice of 1924 and place on the table of the House of Commons all treaties with foreign Governments prior to ratification.