ARMAMENTS.

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1927, Page 6

ARMAMENTS.

Italy’s Rejection. A U.S.A. PROPOSAL. WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. The Italian note rejecting Mr Cool idge’s disarmament proposals, stated that the Government appreciated fully the high spirit which actuated the President. Italy’s military budget and above all the naval budget, appiopriating 300 million lire annually, demon.strates clearly T hat the far-reaching building programme alleged in the message, cannot refer to Italy. The Note then refers to Italy’s unfavourable geographical position, stressing the situation in the Mediterranean with lines of communication and four important colonies to protect, and expressed regret that Italy cannot accept the project. Italy’s latest fourteen hundred ton submarine Ballila, was munched at Spezia. It is the first in the world capable of submerging three hundred f»‘Ct, travelling at nineteen knots on the surface, and ten knots submerged. It has six torpedo tubes an I 4 ‘OO horsepower. BRITISH DELAY IX REPLYING. LONDON, Feb. 21. Mr Baldwin, in answer to a question said the Government was consulting the Dominions with reference to the American disarmament proposals. As soon as their opinion was received, as reply would be sent to America, and a statement would be made to Parliament. Lord Oxford suggests that the easiest method of finding a rough, practical solution of the limitations of armaments would be to fix the maximum percentage of national revenue, which could legitimately be appropriated for any forms of war-like equipment.