GENEVA CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19613, 20 July 1927, Page 8

GENEVA CONFERENCE

m BRIDGEMAN HOPEFUL RECALL OF DELEGATES EXPLAINED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. GENEVA, July 19. (Received July 20, at 11.30 a.ra.) The conference was startled late this afternoon by the bald announcement that Lord Cecil >’.nd Mr W. C. Bridge man were returning to London to con suit the Cabinet. This announcement was immediately interpreted as presaging a breakdown, but Mr Bridge-man in a special interview dispelled this view, saying; “So far Irom indicating a rupture, I am more hopeful to-day than I have been since the conference opened. We have simply received a request to return and to explain to the Cabinet more fully than telegram- can the exact position before wo enter into a final agreement. Probably the reason for the recall is Mr Baldwin’s departure for Canada next week. 1 expect to be back in Geneva on Monday to continue the conversations.”

AMERICA’S HESITATION. AFRAID OF BIG NAVY PARTY. GENEVA, July 19. <Received July 20, at 12.20 p.m.) The chance of a quick decision, by the United States upon the AngloJapancse accord has receded somewnat. The Americans arc not ready to tay simply “Yea” or “Nay,” but this need not be taken as unhopeful. Rather it is the reverse. Probably it moans a long and detailed examination of the various noints of the scheme bctwccen Washington and Geneva. The leading plenipotentiaries of the three parties had another secret meeting to-day. Mr Gibson after to-day’«s meeting stated that the present informal exchange of views by the delegation leaders involved an examination of the scheme point by point with the technical experts. Tho crux of tho problem’ ically is whether the United States dare accept limitation of the biggest cruisers to twelve, each for Britain and the United States and the eight for Japan, in view of the strength of the influence of the big navy party, which is likely to desert in tho forthcoming American elections. Other points not welcome to the American big navy advocates are the acceptance of tho limitation in 1 lie future replacement of cruisers in the smaller class to 6,000 tons, armed with 6in guns. Tho big navy party >'s all out for the biggest and most powerful auxiliaries, capable of crossing the Atlantic and Pacific without refuelling. If tlic # main lines of tho AngloJapancsc accord do not lead to an agreement, and the Geneva Conference fails, tho responsibility must rest on America. The British and Japanese do not desire to hurry the Americans. They feel quite sure that an examination of all tho phases of the proposition bv tho United States offers a better hope of a useful treaty than the hurried acceptance of any proposal.

BRITAIN’S TRADE ROUTES. LONDON, July 111. (Received July 20, at 11.55 a.m.) In view of tho presence of Sir Joseph Cook, Sir James Parr, and Lord Jeilicua in London, it is expected that the whole cruiser problem will be reconsidered here, with special regard to its bearing on tho protection of trade rou tcs.