NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 13

NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

COMING CONFERENCE.

INVITATIONS NOT ISSUED.

PREPARATORY WORK FIRST.

MR.. HOOVER'S SENTIMENTS.

Australian Presß Association—United Service (Received September 19, 8.5 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18.

Although tho President, Mr. Hoover, has failed to realise fully the hopes he entertained at the outset of tho naval negotiations between Britain and America ho is belioved to bo well satisfied with the progress made toward a further limitation of armaments.

The negotiations were described by Mr. Hoover in an address broadcast by wireless as proposals which would preserve the national defences of America, and yet would relieve tho backs of those who toil from gigantic expenditure and the world from the hate and fear which flow from rivalry „the building of warships. Thislis the first time the President has mentioned the subject of disarmament in a public address since the negotiations were begun. If tho agreement in principle reached between tho United States and Britain is ratified by tho other threo major naval Powers through a limitation programme for them consonant with that of Britain and America tho belief in Washington is that a much more substantial reduction will be possible at the expiration of the Washington Treaty in 1936. By that time the navies of the world would have become stabilised under Buch an agreement as might be worked out at the projected conference in January. Also it would be possible to survey all categories of ships with a view to a further limitation in each class. Government officials claim that an agreement in principle between Britain and America would end competition, which in itself would result in smaller cruiser fleets and great saving to Britain and the United States. «•

It was learned from authoritative sources to-day that no joint invitation to the other three Powers to send representatives to the London conference is to be issued. The Secretary of State, Mr. H. L. Stimson, said despatches from London to the effect that the Britisn Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, already had sent invitations through the British Embassies at Tokio, Paris and Rome, were without authorisation and entirely inaccurate.

Invitations from the British Government will go to tho United States, Japan, France and Italy and all five Powers are expected to send representatives to participate in the conference. Considerable preparatory work must be done before the invitations can be sent. Probably that action would bo deferred until after Mr. Mac Donald had conferred with Mr. Hoover at Washington on tho points still tho subject of controversy between tho United States and Britain on the cruisev question.

ATTITUDE OP ITALY.

NO CHANGE EXPECTED.

PARITY WITH FRANCE WANTED.

(Received September 19, 11.25 p.m.) Times Coble. LONDON, Sept. 19. Italy ha 3 not yet shown her hand in regard to naval disarmament, but the Rome correspondent of the Times says at present there i 3 no reason to suppose her attitude has in any way changed from that of last year. Then she undertook to accept any figure, however low, provided it was not exceeded by any other continental Power.

in other words Italy is determined ever to maintain her right to parity with France. The Washington Conference recognised this parity as far as the larger units are concerned, but Italy wants it extended to light cruisers and submarines. It is insisted that such recognition on the part of Franco must be a condition precedent to any concerted action for naval disarmament between the two countries.