DISARMAMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1978, 21 November 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

PROMPT BRITISH ACTION. WILL OTHERS FOLLOW? SIR JOHN SALMOND INTER. VIEWED. (Special.) (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 18. There was great discussion at Washington to-day regarding the British action in stopping the construction of four super-Hoods. The public, and political opinion, strongly favours similar action by tho United States. Tho argument is freely used that unless she does so she will lose the initiative of the Disarmament Conference, seeing that this is the second occasion where Britain has offered to go further than Mr. Hughes’ plan in the interests of the cause. A motion is now before the Senate calling on the Administration to cease construction work on battleships. Supporters of tho motion claim that Britain’s action has enormously strengthened her hand. The ofiicial circles cannot be drawn, though the indications at present are that they will decline to follow suit.

The next Plenary Session of the Conference will bo held on Monday. M. Briand is expected to make a very important speech, outlining France’s intentions regarding sea and land disarmament. After a week’s experience of the workings of the Conference in regard to naval disarmament, Sir John Salmond to-night expressed the firm belief that it was going to be successful. Ho was greatly impressed by tho sincerity, definiteness, and practical statesmanship displayed by the Americans. At the same time certain unfounded expectations of impracticable idealism would bo disappointing. It must bo rememtaei'ed, he said, that tho Conference is one of limitation, not of abolition of armaments. Self-defence is a necessary and permanent part Of State activity. It will bo the right and duty of every State to examine these proposals with reference to the requirements for national safety. The abolition of national preparedness is sentimentalism, but the limitation of armaments is practicable statesmanship. Again, the proposal is not one of regulation of warfare, but of regulation of the actions of the States in time of peace. On tho outbreak of war, every State would do its utmost in self-preserva-tion. Victory would not consent to i,i> rccf-iotpri by an agreement governing the use and nature of its weapons. A naval agreement cannot be permanent and u revocable. States cannot be expected to tie their hands for all time, regardless of the change in the situation. Although the nations have agreed to the principles of the American proposals, an agreement as to details cannot be expected to-day or to-morrow. Everything must be carefully examined and thought out, in order to avoid the possibility of future misunderstanding. The agreement must Involve a readiness to give and take on behalf of all the States concerned, but a certain and sufficient wisdom and sincerity, displayed by all parties, would successfully overcome all such difficulties.

FRENCH PREMIER INTERVIEWED. ATTITUDE OP FRANCE, (Special.) (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 18. M. Brian*!, interviewed by the Australian Press said: “We are peacemakers. If it had not been that France has a strong army, war would have broken out four times since the Armistice. Too many people think that because Germany has been beaten everything is all right, and France can disarm. If the rest of the world tells Prance they will come to her assistance, we will disarm, but not if they Jell us to wait till danger comes before preparing to meet it. That is what has happened to France several times in the last hundred years. America feels the need of a large navy for a danger that is remote. France feels the need of a large army for the danger tha,t is at hand. If France can get an agreement for peace in Europe, such as America is seeking in the Far East, our reduction in the army will far exceed the navy reduction plan. All of Mr. Balfour’s arguments in favour of more auxiliary craft apply to France. We have possessions in three oceans. France also wants submarines. They are the arm of the weak." THE NAVAL RATIO. (Special.) (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, .November 19. The Australian Press Association understands that America is strongly opposed to any alteration of tho ratio of five, five, three for capital ships, which was put forward after the fullest consideration. It also represents the basis for the existing fleets, with soihe generosity towards Japan. If one Pow’ter demands that its ratio be increased,others will follow suit,thereby introducing tho competitive element, which has brought about naval rivalry. America is willing to discuss an amendment of the plan regarding auxiliary ships, of which Britain wants a larger proportion. America regards a complete naval holiday involving the cessation of all shipbuilding for a decade, including re placements, as essential for the success of her plan for disarmament. Owing to the feeling in America against participating in international treaties,and the difficulty of getting the Senate’s sanction, which tho Constitution renders essential, it is understood the American delegation desires that the Conference should result in a general agreement, as distinct from a treaty, in the settlement of the disarmament and Far Eastern questions. It is pointed out that the sanction of Congress for the destruction of Government property involving tho scrapping of ships, is not necessary. The President possesses the power to authorise the destruction of any warship that the naval authorities declare to be no longer useful.

THE CHINESE PROPOSALS. BRITISH ATTITUDE. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 19. The British attitude towards the Chinese proposals was elucidated this morning, ti. high authority explained that the British came to the Confer-

onco with every desire to do the utmost possible to rehabilitate China, and enable it to take its place among the nations of tho world. She was most anxious that China shall become a peaceful, stable community, so that Britain and other nations might enjoy tho benefits of the vast trade of the country. In that respect, British interests were identical with those of other nations, especially America. Any special rights Britain enjoys in China will bo dealt with for the general well-being. She does not wish. to be selfish. She knows that the open door is the best method of creating tho commercial prosperity of all concerned. Britain’s object regarding China is international co-operation. She wished to see tho country de- \ eloped for the benefit of tho Chinese, knowing that this benefited also all other trading nations. Regarding the extra territorial rights, ho pointed out that in tho Anglo-Chincso Treaty of 1902, article 12 specially provided that these should cease when the Chinese administration of justice ensures the just treatment of British nationals. This attitude is in a line with tho French statement, and ig 20 years old. China must be free to carry out her own destinies. JAPANESE STOCK EXCHANGE. A HEAVY SLUMP. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.), TOKYO. November'l7. The effect of the naval proposals was more apparent on the stock market to-day, stocks in armament, military supplies, and shipping concerns registering heavy slumps. The majority of the offers are going begging. Tho Osaka Exchange registered heavy drops yesterday owing to the circulation of a false report that Gamagata was dead. KATES OF DISARMAMENT. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, November IS. An Associated Press summary of tho Washington proceedings asserts that the British and American experts have agreed practically to accept Mr, Hughes’ programme for the limitation or armaments in capital ships, and that the Americans are distinctly against Admiral Kato’s counter-proposal, demanding a greater ratio. American experts decline to allow a change which would give Japan a dominating position in tho Orient.

CLYDESIDE SUSPENSION. CRITICAL IN NAVAL CIRCLES. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 18. The “Daily Express’’ states that the Clydeside suspension decision is criticised in naval ship-building circles in London. It is pointed out that the immediate moral effect may be considerably, but if the Washington Conference fails, apd orders havo to be given to hasten work next spring, the ultimata effect on the world will be the reverse of that now desired. An ironic commentary on the international situation lies in the fact that on the day on which work on , British ships ceased, America launched a super-Dreadnought at West Virginia. The question insistently asked to-day is, “Was the advice and concurrence of Admiral Beatty asked before the order to suspend work was issued?” [A message received on Saturday said:—“ln consequence of the decisions at Washington, the Admiralty has informed contractors on the Clyde that the Department will not incur further liability in respect of new warships. The instruction limits operations to intermediate commitments for which the Admiralty is already liable. This does not entail the immediate cessation of all preliminary work."] ; CHINESE OPINION. (Special.) (Received Monday, 0.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, November ID. Chinese circles to-night expressed themselves rather favourably towards the Japanese statement, though they see trouble regarding the definition between foreign and domestic matters. This, coupled with the Japanese desire that the Conference shall not discuss matters of detail, creates a feeling in the Chinese mind that Japan may want to take in the putting of China on her feet. On the other hand the Japanese say Admiral Kato’s statement, is fair and unselfish, harmonising the particular Interests of China with the general interests of the world.

. INFLUENCE OP BRITAIN. WASHINGTON, November 19, The opinion has been advanced in well-informed circles that Britain will have greater influence than any nation in making- or breaking the Conference. It is definitely stated that the United States delegation has expressed that view to the President. It is significant that Mr Balfour and Admiral Kato held a conference with Mr Hughes to-day. It is hinted that this had to do with Japan’s pressure regarding increased tonnage ratio, and this is reflected iij, the authoritative statement cabled this afternoon, in which it is emphasised that the ob-' ject of Mr Hughes’ plan was to end offensive naval wars, ‘and stop naval competition at the same time. Japan has shifted her consideration from submarines to airplane earners, which she professes to require because her towns are frail' and inflammable, and need extra protection from an attack. BRITISH LABOUR ATTITUDE. (Received Sunday, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 19. A manifesto issued on behalf of the British Labour movement points out that no solid friendship and co-op-eration between Britain and America can exist until the Irish question is equitably settled. British Labour welcomes and accepts wholeheartedly the programme for a substantial progressive reduction as proposed by America, and calls for the extension of the proposals to all forms of armament. Labour recognises the reasons for the widespread hostility of America against the continuance of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, and holds that the Alliance should not be renewed. Under no alliance will Labour be dragged into war with America.