NAVAL LIMITATION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 11

NAVAL LIMITATION

CONVERSATIONS IN LONDON ANGLO-AMERICAN AGREEMENT SOUGHT SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS MADE It is understood that substantial progress towards a naval agreement was made at a conference between the British Prime Minister and First Lord of the Admiralty and the American representatives, General Dawes and Mr. Gibson. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 29. A further conference was held at No. 10, Downing Street, to-day, between the Prime Minister and the First Lord of the Admiralty on the one hand and General Dawes and Mr. Hugh Gibson on the other. It is understood that substantial progress was made towards a naval agreement EFFECT ON AMERICAN PROGRAMME AT LEAST TEN CRUISERS TO BE BUILT (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Australian Press Assn.—United Service. Washington, July 29. The final outcome of the naval limitation discussions is expected by the United States experts to leave at least two-thirds of the Fifteen Cruiser Programme intact. As they see it, at least ten of the contemplated 10,000-ton vessels will be built under any arrangement reached in carrying out an agreement between the United States and Britain on the principle of absolute equality In the fighting strength of their navies, with all kinds of craft considered THE BRITISH SUSPENSION CRUISER EXETER MAY NOT BE COMPLETED Australian Press Association. (Rec. July 30, 9.15 p.m.) London, July 30. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval correspondent learns that in addition to the suspension of the construction work announced by Mr. MacDonald In the House of Commons, the cruiser Exeter may not be completed. The construction of the machinery of the high-pres-sure boilers has been stopped. [The Exeter is the second of the York class of 8400-ton cruisers, and is being constructed at Devonport. The first keel-plate of the Exeter was laid on August 1, 1928.] UNITED STATES WAR DEPARTMENT ORGANISATION TO REDUCE EXPENSES Australian Press Association. Washington, July 29. Mr. James W. Good, Secretary of War, has ordered the Army General Staff to overhaul the War Department organisation In an effort to reduce the expenses. The principal means whereby it is hoped to economise are announced as the removal of duplications, the removal of delay in current departmental programmes already under way, and the elimination of obsolete services.