RECENT CONVERSATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 19 September 1929, Page 11

RECENT CONVERSATIONS

CONFERENCE WELCOMED.

ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT.

British Wireless. RUGBY, Sept. 17. The, Anglo-American naval arms limitation proposals are discussed in all the English newspapers to-day. The difference of opinion between the two countries lias now been narrowed down to such small compass that it is thought, with.both the Governments, that the time is ripe for calling a general conference of the five principal naval Powers to continue the work of limitation and reduction which was begun so successfully at Washington in 1922.

Tlie danger of an ultimate disagreement between the two countries has been all but eliminated. Difficulties which may arise may yet prove complicated, but the foundations have now been well laid and there is very fair prospect of a general limitation of navies which will also, it is to be hoped, lead eventually to the desirable goal of a real and substantial reduction in naval armaments.

Tho Daily Telegraph congratulates the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, and the President of the United States, Air. Hoover, on their courageous efforts. It says tho Anglo-American agreement is strictly preliminary to tho five-Powers conference and whether it becomes operative or not depends on the degree to which the other Powers at (he conference agree to fix their standards in respect to each other and to Britain and America.

Tho Daily Herald points out that hitherto the greatest obstacle has been the failure of Britain and America to agiee on any schedule which could be defended as establishing parity between tho different requirements of the two countries. That obstacle has now almost vanished. There is not yet final agreement hut an agreement is very near. The Manchester Guardian recalls that trivial differences were permitted to wreck the three-Powers naval disarmament con ference, but says it is inconceivable that the present differences between Britain and America should not be easily solved. There has been a vital change in the conditions since. 1927 owing to tho Kellogg Pact and the change of Governments in both countries.

The Daily Mail says it regards the outcome of the conversations as most promising. Mr. Mac Donald's visit lo the United States may open a ne\y chapter in llie world's history if all the expectations based upon it are. fulfilled. ( Mr, Mac Donald must be congratulated upon the progress already made. The Morning Tost says it regards the preliminary agreement with America as probable, more especially as Mr. Hoover and Mr. Mac Donald arc both set upon finishing it. -'