NAVAL CONTROVERSY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 141, 18 December 1928, Page 9

NAVAL CONTROVERSY

AMERICA AND BRITAIN MR. BRITTEN'S NOTIONS Australian Pres3 Association. WASHINGTON, 17th December. Unless an agreement on naval limitations is reached by the world Powers, Britten believes tho United States should "adopt a policy of national defenco 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 tho 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 tho Inter-Parliamentary Union might meet on neutral ground oven before August, 1929, when Parliamentarians convene at Geneva. If no better plan presents itself, it is my intention, to propose at G.cncva the adoption or endorsement of frequent personal contacts between representatives of two or more nations, without awaiting the sinuual general mooting. Editorial comment and letters from all over the United States suggest that only good can como from a frank, open discussion of international policies. So long us no agreement is reached for at least pape requality on the seas, every appro-. printion for construction by tho United States Britain will regard as money wasted in competitive construction, when, in fact, theso appropriations might reasonable bo construed in the interest of world peace."