Arms Limitation

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 5

Arms Limitation

U.S.A. Not to Call Conference POSITION IN FAR EAST m United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright deceived Tuesday, 11 p.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 15. The Administration has rejected the idea of calling an international arms limitation conference, says the HeraldTribune 's Washington correspondent. A hint from the Japanese Foreign Office that Japan might be willing to provide naval construction information if it were requested unofficially was ignored. Mr. Roosevelt discussed foreign policies with Representative Mcßeynolds, -who said later that the conference suggestion was untimely and preposterous. * “ The American Government ought not to be turned aside from the sound course of co-operation for peace by the criticism of those who would carry the new isolation to fantastic limits," says tho New York Times in a leader, replying; to critics of Mr. Hull’s exposition of foreign policy. 11 There -is really no way to satisfy these Congressional critics, except to withdraw all our ambassadors from the capitals in European democracies, on the theory that, if they are permitted to remain, they may learn something of interest or valuei to our Government." Senator Nye accused Mr. Roosevelt of refueling to invoke the Neutrality Act in the Far East, because of pressure from trade interests. .The President’s naval rearmament programme was directed against Japan, and the whole of the defensive policy contemplated a war in the Far East. An identical force at work now as in 1914-16 marched. America towards a war that was none of her business. President Wilson was forced to give way to trade interests} who had made loans to foreign Powers. America was as near war tonight asi 30 days before declaring war on Germany. JAPANESE HINT SIZE OF NEW SHIPS MIGHT BE DISCLOSED UNOFFICIALLY TOKIO, Feb. 14. The Foreign Office spokesman hinted that if the Powers unofficially approached Japan for naval information the sizes ol: new battleships might be given, but that they would uot necessarily bo binding. WILL BRITAIN BUILD BIG WARSHIPS? CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER POWERS LONDON, Feb. 14. The Australian Associated Press says that Brit ain is not immediately deciding to build monster battleships as a result of Japan’s refusal to divulge her intentions. Irlowever, conversations will open without delay with America and France, concerning which Russia and Germany will be kept informed. It is ex pected that joint decisions will emerge from the conversations probably necessitating at least a gesture towards the construction of capital ships exceeding the present treaty limit of 35,000 tons. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Anthony Eden said that the situation resulting from the Japanese reply to the British Note on naval construction would be examined by the British Government in consultation with the naval Powers with whom it was in treaty relations.