NAVAL LIMITATION. A WELCOME PROPOSAL.

Grey River Argus, 31 December 1920, Page 4

NAVAL LIMITATION. A WELCOME PROPOSAL.

! LONDON, December 29. Britain's answer to the American suggestion for limitation of naval armaments has been an immediate and definite "Yes. The public men af all parties blessed the proposal. . .The Church Press and Labour Commerce are spontaneously advocating it. Every newspaper: is opening its coluTnns to 'the discussion.' No correspondent can be found optimistic enough, to assert- that ' Britain is' able, to' finance, without the greatest risks, the stiipendbus effort of such, competitive building programmes as outlined by Japan and America. Government ha s been working for some time for 'an agreement, being confident that Anglo- American relations would improve, and refusing tx) believe a'ii Ariklo-A'nier-ican. war 'possible; This improvement has definitely arrived: ' ■Mr' Harding 's unofficial envoys to Europe" indicate a strong policy of friendship and trust. The surprise has been the avidity with which Japan accepted the idea; The immediate entry of the Japanese 'Ambassador into the arena and his daily repetition of Japan's willingness to 'si§n 'an agreement" sug'gets that important official cbnvefsktibns preceded the public '.ventilation of the' idea: S Another surprise has, been Hon Wal•ter Long's message to Anierica'declariing Britain although, an Island power, entirely dependent on, the ocean Mgjhways", is walling to accept , a stand of, '.equal: strengftii, with the next ' power. > Thus ' are the ghosts of' 6ld .political controversies' regarding' the ' two ' keel standard laid. No "voice bewails them. The country' is intent 'upon a. long peace unharrossed. financially, and eager for .limitation of American build-; ing. It knows the .huge unlimited programmes wquid during difficult l y§ars altead, be aa un.4 ( svippbrtabie nightinaie. „. Lord Northijiiffe's statement that the Empire would never join the Japanese in War aga'ifist America remains undisputed. Northcliffe says in no circumstances whatever is it possible to unite 1 Britain ,<3anada, Australia New Zealandand South' Africa against America on behalf ! pf Japanese. The latter are a young nation able, intelli- ' gent,/ initiative and industrious, but inexperienced in world poltics. They flr'e makine bad liasic mistakes in •t,T4fln." if ihov nt" VvuiTdinc flfainst AThPTica. 'They lack a sense, of proportion."