SUBMARINES DISPOSAL

Northern Advocate, 8 February 1928, Page 5

SUBMARINES DISPOSAL

UNITED ACTION NECESSARY

FRANCE DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE

AMERICA MISSED OPPORTUNITY,

(United Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, February 6.

Opinion in well informed circles, obtained by the “Daily Telegraph,” emphasises the point that Britain, despite her possession of an efficient fleet of submarines, second to none and forming an important link in Imperial defence, would gladly renounce it, provided all countries followed her example, but if a single power stands out the scheme must collapse.

The case of France is instanced with 91 submarines. In her current programme, France is basing her main system of defence upon these craft, and it is difficult to convince France that France and Japan would give them up. . The prevalent idea is that had America supported Britain at the Washington Conference, Anglo-American combined influence might have succeeded in securing universal abandonment.—A. and N.Z.

KELLOGG SUGGESTION.

IGNORED BY PRESS,

DUBRED AN ELECTION DODGE

LITVINOFF’S SCHEME PREFERABLE.

(Received 9 a.m.) PARIS, February 7,

The Press almost entirely ignores Mr F- B. Kellogg’s submarine suggestion and no official proposal on the subject has yet been received. France will undoubtedly reply that she is willing to destroy submarines . if the United States destroys dreadnoughts. Mr Kellogg’s proposition, following on the heels of a new capital ships programme, appears to France to be merely a poor election dodge. Even M. Litvinoff’s sweeping disarmament proposition at Geneva is regarded as preferable to Mr Kellogg’s. M. Litvinoff, at any rate, suggested an all round reduction, not a scheme hitting some navies severely and not touching others.—A. and N.Z.