NAVAL PARITY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 298, 3 December 1928, Page 5

NAVAL PARITY

BALDWIN’S REPLY TO BRITTEN

KELLOGG DECLINES TO TOUCH IT.

STRONG COMMENT ON SECRETARY'S ACTION.

[United Press Association—By Cable Copyright.!

[Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.l

(Received 3, 0.45 a.m.) New York, Dec 1. The “New York Herald ■■ Tribune’s’’ Washington correspoiident states that Mr. Kellogg has politely but firmly refused to accept Mr. Baldwin’s' reply to Mr. Britten. Sn Esme Howard called to-day formally to deliver the message “through diplomatic channels.” Mr. Kellogg cordially greeted the Ambassador. but the greeting did not apply to the message he was bearing. Mr. Kellogg declined to touch it. While no official version of the conversation has been disclosed, it is understood that he informed Sir Esme Howard that the United States would continue to handle its diplomatic negotiations without assistance from outsiders, even if one of the would-be negotiators was Chairman of the Affairs Committee and even if the topic of diplomatic conversation related to naval affairs. Mr. Kellogg’s action was characterised bv Mr. Britten to-night as “exceedingly improper.’’ He suggested that the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the House or the Senate might feel inclined to ask the Secretary bv what authority he had taken such action.

“A PROPOSAL WITHOUT PRECEDENT.”

[Australian Press Assn.—United Service.! (Received 3. 9.10 a.m.) Washington, Dec. 2.

Following a conference between Sir Esme Howard, the British Ambassador and Mr. Kellogg, the State Department announced that the Ambassador had not submitted Mr. Baldwin’s reply for transmission to Senator Britten. Beyond stating that the proposal was without precedent Mr. Kellogg is working in harmony with Mr. Britten on it. The Ambassador did not discuss the matter but indicated, however, that he would not consider transmission of the reply from the British Embassy to Mr. Britten, inasmuch as it would constitute a breach of diplomatic nroeedure unless approved by the State Department. The State Denartment is reticent, apart from leaving the imnression that the department would ignore Mr. Britten’s communication.

A TROUBLESOME SUGGESTION

(Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.l New York, Dec. 1.

The “New York Times’ ” Washington correspondent states that officials expressed no surprise that Mr. Baldwin turned the cold shoulder tn Mr. Britten’s proposals for a discussion in Canada of the cruiser controversy. It is realised here that acceptance would set a precedent which might cause trouble for itself in the future.

It has also come to light that the State Department has been engaged for some time discouraging quasinegotiations between American citizens and foreign Governments in respect to matters in controversy or otherwise concerning international relations.