Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, JANUARY 20th. 1930. NAVAL CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 January 1930, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, JANUARY 20th. 1930. NAVAL CONFERENCE

F OR some months past, public attention has been directed to the conference to open to-morrow, in London, among the five Powers .with the largest navies. The object of the gathering is to attempt to arrive at an agreement to lessen considerably expenditure on armaments. Much preliminary publicity has been given to interviews between leaders, and opinions of experts and others, until it almost seems as if there is little fresh for the delegates, themselves, to say. Theirs is a big task, and although they start with the advantage of having the bulk of the world public opinion in favour of drastic disarmament, they have to overcome national fears and jealousies which are not easy to allay. Compl etc success will be a happy surprise, but even partial agreement will make the expensive gathering worth while. A forward step at this juncture should lead to later progress. The conference is well worth holding, even should no real achievement be the fruits, as it will help to focus attention on the fact 1 hat if naval armaments are not

checked, the alternative must be unlimited building rivalry, with disastrous consequences to all concerned.

France is predicted to be the most likely disrupter, but such prophecies may prove wrong. No nation can be blamed for taking what steps she regards as essential for her safety, and it is easier for some than others to be ventiiresome. The U.S.A, risks little, owing to geographical situation and post-war developments, whereas Continental Powers are less happily situated. Britain has special problems and the overseas portions of the Empire will be coy towards proposals lessening protection to trade routes between them and the Motherland, their best customer. However, risks must be run to obtain ’ greater harvest, and if the Kellogg Pact and similar agreements mean anything of importance, the risk on paper through smaller navies will not be reproduced in actual practice. Moreover, any risks run froi'h naval limitations are not equal to those arising from prolonged competition as to which Power shall rule the waves. Seek peace and ensue it is the best slogan, to-day, for the whole world. One great benefit that has already sprung from the negotiations is the Anglo-American understanding, and even if other Powers fail to agree, Britain and the U.S. • should be able to stave off competition between themselves. That, in itself, must tend to lessen competition among the nations, for national examples are contagious. Japan seems zealous to join in with t e Anglo-American ideals, and Italy, too, is believed to be willing to go far. The outlook for the conference’s success is therefore bright, but expectations should not be excessive. The Conference gives proof that the world-peace drive is gam- ; ing in force, and all should hope . that having dealt with the naval : armaments problem, the Powers will be able to give attention to the other forms of war-weapons.