REPLY TO BRITTEN

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 61, 5 December 1928, Page 11

REPLY TO BRITTEN

CONCERNING CONFERENCE ON SEA POWER EXPLANATION OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SPIRIT CORDIALLY RECIPROCATED (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 3. Questions were asked in the House of Commons regarding the communication addressed to Mr. Baldwin by Mr. F. A. Britten, Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee of the American House of Representatives, recalling the desire expressed by Mr. Baldwin in a speech on November 13 for a more fiequent personal discussion between American and British representatives, and proposing a meeting on Canadian soil between the American Naval Affairs Committee and a Select Committee of the British House of Commons to discuss the subject of Anglo-Ameri-can equality in sea power. The Prime Minister said that he had replied to Mr. Britten, cordially reciprocating the spirit inspiring his suggestion and sharing Mr. Britten’s earnest desire for a complete understanding between the two countries. He had pointed out, however, that in his speech of November 13 he was speaking not of Legislatures, but of the Executives of Governments, and it was the absence of facilities for personal intercourse between Ministers which he regretted. Except to remove this possible misunderstanding of his speech, he felt that it would not be consistent with the courtesy which he owed to the United States Government to express any further opinion on the proposal about which he understood they had not been consulted. He would therefore only repeat his appreciation of Mr. Britten’s friendly sentiments.

PERSONAL CABLEGRAM (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press association.) Washington, December 3. Mr. Britten has received a personal cablegram from Mr. Baldwin in reply to his suggestion for a conference on naval limitations. He will announce the contents to-morrow before a full meeting of the House Naval Committee. Mr. Britten said: “The message is about 200 words long and in the kindliest spirit.” Representative La Guardia suggested the holding of such a conference, but the arranging of it through diplomatic channels rather than appealing direct to Mr. Baldwin.