NAVY BUILDING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 10

NAVY BUILDING

AMERICAN POLICY IF LIMITATION AGREEMENT NOT REACHED BRITTEN’S FRANK EXRPESSION OF OPINION ♦ (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.)

(Rec. December 17, 10.5 p.m.)

Washington, December 17.

Unless an agreement on Naval Limitations is reached by the world Powers Representative Britten believes the United States should “adopt a policy of national defence that would supersede all Powers,” according to a message sent by Mr. Britten to Commander Kenworthy as part of their correspondence concerning the message to Mr. Baldwin.

Mr. Britten cabled : “Without agreement, it is but natural that each country should build according to its world position in society, industry and politics. American prestige and trade routes to every corner of the earth surely command the same measure of protection that is accorded their contemporaries. I had hoped that members of the American and British groups of the Inter-Parliamentary Union might meet on neutral ground even before August, 1929, when Parliamentarians convene at Geneva. If no better plan presents itself, it is my intention to propose at Geneva the adoption or endorsement of frequent personal contacts between representatives of two or more nations, without awaiting the annual general meeting. Editorial comment and letters from all over the United States suggest that only good can come from a frank, open discussion of international policies. So long as no agreement is reached for at least paper equality on the seas, every appropriation for construction by the United States. Britain will regard as money wasted in competitive construction, when in fact these appropriations might reasonably be construed in the interest of world peace.”