WORLD PEACE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 February 1927, Page 7

WORLD PEACE

LATE EDITION

AMERICAN INITIATIVE LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS. REGIONAL AIR AGREEMENTS. BY CABLE—TBESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.! • Received 12.15 p.m. to-day. WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. President Coolidge, in a message to Congress, after outlining the instructions given to ambassadors for transmitting copies of the memorandum conveyed to the Powers, said : •“In part, 1 wish to inform Congress of the considerations which, moved me to take this action. Support of all measures looking to the preservation of peace in the world lias long been established a® a fundamental policy of this Government. Tli.a American Government and people are convinced that competitive armament® constitute one of the most dangerous contributing causes of international suspicion and discord, and are calculated eventually to lead to war. Recognition of this fact, and a desire to remove a® far as possible this danger, led the American 'Government in 1921 to call the Washington Conference. At that time we were engaged in a great building proBgramme. which would have given, us fi rs t place on the sea. Wei felt then, however, and we fie 1 , now, that the policy we then advocated —that < i deliberate self-denial and limitation of naval armaments by the great "aval Powers —promised the attainment- of at least one guarantee of peace, and an end in worthy mutual agreement, and coneese-ion. “At the Washington Conference we found other nations animated by the same desire as ourse’ves —to remove naval competition from the list of possible causes of international discord. 'Unfortunately, it wa® not poscible to reach agreements at Washington covering all classes of naval ships. “The Washington Treaty provided a specific tonnage limitation upon capital ships and aircraft carriers, with certain restrictions on other vessels. Silvery nation has been at complete liberty to build any number of cruisers, destroyers and submarines. Only the size and armament of the cruisers have been limited. The signatories to the Washington Treaty havei fulfilled their obligation® faithfully. There can he no doubt the treaty constitutes an outstanding success in operation. It has been the hope of the Government, constantly expressed since the conference, that a favourable! opportunity might present itself to complete the work begun here by a conclusion of •further agreements, covering cruisers, destroyers and submarines. The desirability of such an .agreement is apparent. since- it was only to he expected that the spirit of competition stifled as regards capital ships and aircraft carriers hv the treaty would sooner or later show itself regarding unlimited vessels. Actually, I do not believe competitive building of these classes of ships has begun; nevertheless, far-reaching programmes have b?en laid down by certain; Powers, and there has appeared In. our 1 country, as abroad, a. sentiment urging naval construction on the ground that such is • taking Place e’eswbere. In such e.--nti-ments lies the germ of naval competition . , “I am sure all the Governments of ffell peoples will choose a system, of , naval limitation in. preference to consciously reverting to'competitive building ; therefore, in the hope of bringing about an opportunity for discussion among the principal naval Powers to ascertain whether further limitation • is practicable, I have suggested that negotiations -should begin as soon, as possible. The moment .seems particularly opportune. The earnest desire of the nations of the world to relieve themselves in as great a measure l as possible of burden of armaments, and to avoid the dangers of competition, is shown by the establishment of _ a p-re- . paratory commission for the disarmament conference which met at Geneva last May. and which is continuing its work in' view of the preparation of an agenda for a final general conference. “Representatives of a score or more nations for more than six months have been examining all points of view of the problem of reduction and limitation of armaments. Their discussions showed very clearly that, a number of nations felt that land, ,sea and air armaments were interdependent. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to agree to a limitation of one type of armament without simultaneously limiting others-. A consequence to be feared is a deadlock, should partial progress in one direction he conditional upon the acceptance of a universal plan covering land sea, and air forces •together. If a prospective- deadlock cannot bo broken, it is probable that little progress will be made for the time being. “It- appeared to me,” continue® President Coolidge’s message, “that it was the duty of this Government, which lias always v advocated limitation, to endfeavouV 1 to. suggest an avenue by which concrete, results may be achieved, though short of the ultimate ideal splution for the threefold ,prob’em. Our delegate® at Geneva “ , '4fhavc consistently expressed the view that, under conditions as they exist in the world to-day, the problems are most susceptible of .solution by regional agreements, covering ile;gion.sl within which the land and air -armament® of .one country would constitute a potential threat against another country. Geographical continents have been .suggested as regions appropriate for land and air limitation agreements. The American land and air forces constitute a threat against no one. They arc. of a minimum strength, and their reduction is suggested hv no one as a. necessary condition, precedent to general arms limitation. This reduction is rendered possible hv our favoured geographical position.”

LAND, AIR AND WATER. EUROPEAN PROBLEMS. AMERICA EAGER TO ASSIST. SENATE APPROVES MESSAGE. Received 1.45 p.ro. to-day. WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. Continuing his message, President Colidge said: “I realise that the problems of armaments of land and air in Europe are beset with difficulties which we must recognise, and, although this , Government will always be ready to t J lend assistance in any appropriate A,efforts on the part of European and V other Governments to arrive at regional agreements limiting land and air forces, it would hesitate 1:o make specific proposals on this subject. “The European nations’ problem or limitation of naval armament, while

not of a regional character or susceptible to regional treatment, has been successfully treated in the past by an agreement among the five leading naval Powers, and my opinion is that it can be definitely dealt with by (further agreements, among those Powers. It will be a contribution to the success of the preliminary work now going on at Genera should the great naval Powers there agree upon a definite limitation of naval armament. It is my intention that the American representatives at Geneva should continue to discuss with the representatives of other Powers their programme for a general limitation of armaments conference. If such a conference should be possible in the future, on a basis generally acceptable, this Government would, of course, be highly gratified. Pending the formulation of a plan for such a general conference, however, I believe we should make an immediately sincere effort to solve the problem of naval limitations —a solution of which would clo much to make efforts towards a more general disarmament successful.” Leading members of both the Democratic and Republican parties heartily approved of President Coolidge’s disarmament proposals. Senator Borah said: “I am thoroughly in sympathy with what the President would achieve.” Senator Curtis said: “We should encourage all nations to join in an effective limitation.” Senator La Follette said: “The President’s programme will meet with the approval of a large majority of the people.” Senator Caraway said: “I favour any conference on arms limitation.”

Senator Hale, chairman of the Senate Naval Appropriations Committee, however, pointed out that President Coolidge's proposal would have no immediate effect on proposed cruiser construction. He said the building of the new cruisers contemplated would improve the position of the United States at such a conference. He said he understood that Mr. Gibson, the newly appointed American Ambassador to Belgium, would be the United States’ delegate to the new conference, if it conld be arranged. THE MEMORANDUM. TO ALL THE POWERS. Received 12.25 p.m. to-day. WASHINGTON, Feb..JO. The memorandum itself, which the American Ambassadors handed to the Powers, goes into much greater detail concerning the armament situation than Mr Coolidge’s message to Congress.. It outlines the reasons actuating the American Government in making the proposals. The memorandum stresses the point that it would he impossible in the near future to expect all the wqrld to agree to a comprehensive plan covering ajl classes and types of armament, hut failure to agree’upon a definite, even if only a partial, agreement for limitations would constitute a setback. The cause of international peace was too great for a setback to deserve Various contemplation as a possibility. The memorandum then points out that the final Geneva conference probably will not lie able to meet during the present year, and jthe com if g into effect of the agreements reached by it mierht he delayed for a considerable period for a " multitude of reasons. The American Government, therefore, believes those Powers which are in_ a position to engage in further limitations now would not he justified in postponing efforts in that direction.