LITTLE HOPE LEFT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 August 1927, Page 5

LITTLE HOPE LEFT

FOR NAVAL AGREEMENT. PLENARY SESSION POSTPONED. THE AMERICAN VIEWPOINT. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received 10.15 a.m. to-dav. GENEVA, July Ml. The plenary session has been postponed till the middle of the week.— A.P.A. and “Sun.” LONDON, July 29. Official circles in London deny that the Rt. Hon. W. C. Bridgeman has reported any definite American refusal, but well-informed quarters infer that Mr. Bridgeman \s report leaves little ground for optimism, and definitely prepares the Government for a final breakdown at Monday’s plenary session. The Geneva correspondents agree that the delegations have not completely abandoned all hope of an agreement, but pessimism is general in all three camps. Everything now depends upon President Coolidge’s reply, which is expected during the week-end. There is a suggestion that the Japanese are working hard behind the scenes as mediators. Tonnage totals and the calibre of guns are still the chief stumbling blocks to the Americans.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPASSE. PRESIDENT COOLIDGE BLAMES BRITAIN. THE AMERICAN VIEWPOINT. NEW YORK 1 , July 30. The “New York World’s” Rapid City correspondent states that the responsibility for the impasse at Geneva was placed on the British by President Coolidge, who stated to-day that he believed the position taken by Britain’s representatives is a bar to an agreement among the participating Powers. He is still hopeful that the discussion will eliminate some of the diffi- | culties and that the British will modify their position. Unless there is a modification he sees no hope for an agreement on naval limitation. There was evident disappointment in the President’s attitude to-day. Although he feels that no ill result can follow the conference, even if it fails to attain its objective, he appears reluctant to concede that the United States would necessarily be a party to competitive cruiser building in the event of failure. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” states that no good can come from the plenary session at Geneva, at which the Powers will present statements explanatory of their positions. He says that, in view of the apparent collapse of the conference, consideration was given to-day by officials to plans for a final adjournment without a public session. The official action in the matter has not yet been fully determined. There are indications, meanwhile, that the plenary session may not meet until perhaps Wednesday, additional time being required for the preparation of the final statements of the various delegations. The source of the suggestion for an adjournament without a plenary session was not revealed, /but it has received the serious attention of official circles here. It is apparently felt that the utterance of conflicting views would not contribute to the deliberations and might further strain international relations. A final adjournment could be taken by resolution at a private or public meeting. Further conferences were held t'D-day by Mr. C. D. Wilbur (Secretary of the Navy) and Mr. F. B. Kellogg (Secretary of State) and their assistants, but it is understood that the discussions were confined to final details for concluding the conference. A despatch from Rapid City states that President Coolidge is preparing a statement for presentation by Mr. Gibson at the conference. It is understood the President feels there is a necessity for a strong re-statement of America’s position relative to limitation, and since he regards limitation as one of his major foreign policies, he desires personally to write the statement. It is reported that Mr. Gibson’s speech before the conference will intimate that Britain entered the conference without any expectation of meeting compromises on cruiser strength, and that this has prevented, to a great degree, the conference from reaching an agreement. It is understood this will be presented as President Coolidge’s view. President Coolidge is now interested in seeing the conference terminate without developing any animosities and without injury to the United States’ relations with the world Powers.

NAVAL HOLIDAY. ME. BRIDGE-MAN’S SUGGESTION. GENEVA, July 31. The situation is unchanged. The principal delegates have not seen each other since the eventful meeting on Thursday. The impression prevails that if the British proposals are rejected, Mr. Bridgeman is ready with a plan for a naval holiday for the three Powers for a definite period, in which an agreement as regards future building might be reached diplomatically. hasty cabinet meeting. URGENT TELEGRAM FROM BRITISH DELEGATES. LONDON. July 29. Ministers going on holiday were recalled to attend a special meeting of tho Cabinet to .consider an urgent telegram from the British delegation at Geneva.