AMERICAN NAVAL PLAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19831, 29 December 1927, Page 9

AMERICAN NAVAL PLAN.

MEANING NOT UNDERSTOOD. ENGLISH NEWSPAPER'S OPINION. LONDON, Dec. 23. Commenting upon the proposed American naval programme the Times says:— " The outside world does not. detect any possible menace to America's security and prosperity, and cannot understand the new and astonishing naval programme. " In spite of President Coolidge's depreciatory references to old-world competition in armaments, America has definitely embarked on a competitive and even provocative programme, designed partly to impress British opinion which, nevertheless, is tempered with a variety of considerations, including a determination not to quarrel with America or compete in armaments. " Tt is suggested that the clause enabling the President to suspend the programme, in the event of an international conference, was inserted to enable indirect pressure to be brought to bear for the organising of a further armaments conference. It must be said at .once that Great Britain will not be induced to participate by such means. The suggestion implies a false interpretation of the British atfTTude at Geneva, which received the officfal sanction of the United States."

RECEPTION IN JAPAN. PROGRAMME A SURPRISE. TOKIO, Dec. 21. The Minister for the Navy, Mr. Okada, according to Japanese newspaper?, is carefully watching American naval developments. The Wilbur programme comes as a surprise, they say, but is probably due to the Geneva failure. " It remains to be seen whether Congress will vote such a stupendous Budget," the Minister said. "No necessity exists at present for Japan to modify her programme, as announced, but she is prepared to take suitable steps, should her national safety be actually menaced. The Tokio Asahi describes the Wilbur programme as " extravagant, decorative, and provocative," while the Nichi Nichi regrets that America has abandoned her noble role as the guiding force for world peace. The Kokumin says the programme is certain to arouse resentment in London and Tokio.