BRITAIN ACCEPTS.

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1929, Page 5

BRITAIN ACCEPTS.

U.S.A. PROPOSAL. > To Reduce Navies. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn ) (Received April 26 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. In a speech broadcasted from Bristol to-night, the Prime Minister, Mr Baldwin, said: “You have heard the important declaration which Mr Gibson made at Geneva on behalf of the United States Government. Mr Gibson declares that his Government’s purpose is secure, not merely a limitation. but a. reduction of armaments. Also they desire that the reductions should be applied, not to this or that class of war vessel only, but to every class. On behalf of His Majesty’s Government, I make the same declaration. Thi s is, and has been throughout, our purpose and desire. We will co operate cordially with the United States in order to secure its genera] acceptance.”

RUGBY, April 25. Sir A. Chamberlain, replying to a question in the Commons, referring to a statement made by Mr Gibson in the Preparatory Commission on dis* aimaments, said that the British Gov eminent shared fully the hopes and wishes of the Government of the United States as therein set forth The British Government, equally with the Government of the United*States, desired not merely a limitation but a reduction of naval armaments. They had indeed themselves made proposals for such a general reduction, and that reduction should be applied to every class of war vessel. “As between ourselves and the United States, such difference as has hitherto existed, has not been concerned with these great principles nor with the .relative strength of our respective nav-ies, but with the determination of the categories into which the ships of war should be divided. On this point the British Government have noted with much interest, was the criteria suggested by Mr Gibson. They attach great importance to the possibilities opened by the greater elasticity given by his suggestions for an adjustment of agreed naval strengths to different circumstances of the two Powers. Finally, they desire to express their warm appreciation of the cordial and conciliatory spirit shown by tho American delegation, and give an assurance that it is in the same spirit 'and with the most earnest wish to roach a complete agreement, that it will consider the American suggestions.”

NEW U.S.A. CRUISER. COST ELEVEN MILLION DOLLARS (Received April 26 at 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 26. At Brooklyn Navy Yard, the ten thousand ton cruiser Pensacola, costing eleven million dollars, was successfully launched before naval and other dignitaries to-day. The vessel is 585 feet over all.