DISARMAMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1977, 19 November 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

PROCEDURE FOR DISCUSSION. CHINA AND FAR EAST. REPORT OF COMMITTEE. [By Electric Cable- —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Friday, 8,5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. November 17. The sub-committee which was appointed to consider the procedure for the full committee’s discussion on the Pacific and Far Eastern questions, recommends that the delegates of the lull committee be first given an opportunity for a general discussion of the questions relating to China. There should then be a discussion of the various particular topics in the order in which they are listed on the American Government’s tentative agenda, with due consideration of the Chinese delegation’s proposals, under the topic to which each proposal relates. ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. (Received Saturday, 12.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, November 17. It is clear, from the conversation of high officials, that Britain will not throw any serious obstacles in the way of a naval agreement. She is not prepared to press the suggestion enunciated by Mr Balfour tor a progressive replacement, while urging the tremendous costliness of keeping the plants in existence and keeping highly specialised workmen to be paid over a period of ten years, who cannot be used fox' any other purpose but the making of parts for capital ships. The American “five-flve-three” plan is quite acceptable to the British, who are ever anxious to go further towards disarmament. They will urge the total abolition of submarines. The navai agreement, though it will not wait the solution of the Far Eastern questions, will not be signed before a reduction in the fleets of France, Italy and other Powers has been considered. The Australian Press Association understands that American official circles are firm on the question of an absolute naval holiday for ten years. The British are not averse, provided suitable arrangements are made and they are allowed to keep the Government yards in existence for repairing and other purposes.

RAPID PROGRESS LIKELY. TOWARDS FINAL DISARMAMENT AGREEMENT. (Received Friday, 9.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 17. Fairly rapid progress seems likely towards a final agreement on disarmament, which will be signed and disposed of. With reference to a settlement of the Far Eastern complexities, this has been made clear, seral-offlci-ally, from all three delegations. It is obviously difficult to lay down, regarding the Far East, such hard and fast rules as was possible on the concrete questions of the limitation of navies. Indications are that there will be a general gentleman’s agreement rather than a straight-out diplomatic arrangement. Judging from semi-official pronouncements, the question of submarine tonnage and the character of the vessels is still affording a fruitful subject for discussion. on the Disarmament Committee, opinions are divided as to whether the United States shall consent to a reduction of the total tonnage. Though she may agree that submarines should be confined strictly to military purposes, which means that Individual vessels'will not need to be so large, it is known that a large body of Senators, headed by Senator Borah, are supporting the British suggestion for the total elimination of submarines as a naval weapon. The British view was further elucidated this morning, by the declaration by a high authority that Britain was seeking a genuine reduction of her navy, not a cheaper one which would be possible if submarines were substituted for battleships. The object is to stop war, and not to change the method of waging it.

A JAPANESE REQUEST. (Received Friday, 11.2,5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 17. Official: Admiral Kato, because of the geographical position of Japa»*, deems it only fair that at the present time the other interested countries should agree that she maintain a proportion of her general tonnage slightly greater than the 60 per cent proposed in Mr Hughes’ plan, and in a type of vessel strictly of a defensive character, which does not include capital ships or submarines. She might desire even to approximate that of the greater navies. Replying to questions during a Press interview, Admiral Kato said he hoped that the Conference would take up the question of the entire elimination of submarines. Japan accepts the Chinese proposals as a basis for discussion, but has not yet studied them in detail.