NATIONS' ARMAMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 226, 30 December 1920, Page 5

NATIONS' ARMAMENTS.

JAPS READY FOR REDUCTION:

LONDON,:'Deo, 29. y The Japanese Ambassador'‘States that Japan is ready to effect a reduction!'in Her' armaments in agreement with other Powers. She believes in mutual forbearance and goodwill amongst nations, and wishes ardently the cause of the League of. Nations -to be crowned with success.—(A.‘ and N.Z. foible.)*-' . '■ EXPE>J D ITU RE ON ARMAM ENTS. TEN TIMES THAT ON EDUCATION. - TOKIO! Deo. 29. ! Tho newspaper Jiji Shimpo' Itihich, one of the strongest supporters of tho Government’s naval policy, has announced that if tho world consents to cease competitive naval construction there is no reason why Japan’s plan for eight battleships, eight battle cruisers and 120 submarines, to bo completed in 1925, should not be modified. The newspapers have requested the Japanese Govornhient to take the'initiative, point: irig opt that current expenditure on education is Jess than, u tenth of that on armaments. —(A. and N.Z. cable.) '' •'

IMPORTANCE OF OIL FUEL.

CONSERVATION OF SUPPLIES.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. Mr Josephus Daniels (Secretary to the Navy) in tho course of'a statement,’.say 3 that tKe supremacy of sea po\yer is now dependent upon fuel oil. Personally, life favours tho nationalisation 'of oil ■ resources. Mr Daniels quotes Admiral Fisher as saying -that it would be criminal folly for Englund .to use another pound of coal aboard: her fighting ships, and adds that other .nations are conserving .their own oil; and , exhausting the American supplies. America has ■ bCCri'/prodigal and should (now awaken to the,\atak necessities of the situa-tion.—-(A. and N.Z. cable.)

UNITED STATES’ NAVY. ~ j

REDUCING THE PERSONNEL.

Received December 20, '12.5. p.m. t NEW YORK, Deo. 29. >• A message from Marion, Ohio, states that Congressman Kelly, a member of the House Naval Affairs Committee, after consulting Mr Harding regarding naval matters, said that the Republican leaders plan to scrap Mr Daniels’, proposals for naval expansion, and will not authorise any new ships. They will reduce the 1921 appropriations to OU,000,000 dollars below the 1920 figures and will also reduce the naval personnel to IQOiOQO.—(A. Vwd N.Z. cable.)