DISARMAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 24 June 1927, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

NAVAL LIMITATIONS. BRITISH PROPOSALS DISCUSSED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 22.

According to, press telegrams train Geneva, Admiral Santo, chief Japanese delegate ait, the Naval Coniereiice, announced to Air Giibsou, chief United State delegate, that, while willing to make con ceissi oils- on other points Japan could not accept the 5-5-3 ratio lor other than daipiitial ships, as Japan must adapt her navy to the .special needs of her position. The proposals ox the three Powers continue to be discussed and examined in committee and outside.

In particular there is interest ill the extent to which acceptance will be forthcoming l'or the principles underlying the British proposals, which are an extension of the accepted life of ships, thereby postponing renewal (and effecting obvious economy and the .reduction in the dine of the guns carried.

The British proposals would not disturb the ‘Washington Conference ratio regarding capital ships, but lit is proposed that capital ships .should have their life extended from 20 to, 25 yeans, their tonnage reduced from 35,000 to 30,000 tons and the size of their guns reduced from 15 inch to 13.5 inch.

In regard to other ships, it is clear that the throe countries are differently situated and have therefore different needs, eoiusequntly the best procedure in the British view is that the delegations should lay alt their cards on the table and state precisely what they want and why they want it. It would then be immediately apparent, to the naval technicians whether tfhie specified requirements are justifiable for defensive purposes and a process of mutual scaling clown /would become feasible. Some surprise is expressed in British circles at the part 0.,f the American schedule in which the destroyer is allowed a tonnage up to 300 Q tone and a cruiser up to 10,000, exclusive of fuel, which would mean a further increase of several hundred tons. These figures are considered unnecessarily high, and a, destroyer of 3000 tons ins. generally classed .as almost a. cruiser. The British isoheme proposes 1400 tons for destroyers and 1750 tons, for flotilla leaders, and 7500 for all cruisers no.t covered by the Washington agreement. The point is important in view of the general tendency to build the maxima permissible. In regard to submarines Britain also advocates a limit of 1600 toms, surface displacement of large submarines. If submarines are to be regarded as defensive weapons then there should be a very considerable .reduction in their size. It is contended that subimia,nines between 1200 and 2000 tons are not defensive. If acting defensively off the coast they need not be anything approaching that size.

CYNICAL FRENCH PRESS. PARIS. June 22. The French Press has begun to reveal cynicism regarding the Geneva conference cm naval proposals. “Le Journal” isay.s: “England wants to 'suppress submarines owing to their terrible war-time blow, but they arc France’s best means of coast defence.’ “Le Tempo-’ declares.: “The Three Powers are trying, to .solve, in their own interests, what belongs to the general domain,” and asks, in view-of conflicting theories an cl interests: “Is there- any place, for <an honest acceptable trn nsa ction „