CAUSE OF DISARMAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20491, 17 February 1930, Page 9

CAUSE OF DISARMAMENT.

SETBACKS AT CONFERENCE.

- * POWERS COMING JO GRIPS.

LATEST PLANS EXAMINED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 16, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. Mr. J. L. Garvin, in an outspoken article in the Observer says the Naval Conference has come to grips with a vengeance and is giving shocks to the Peace Pact and parity. Firstly Anglo-American accord is strained by America's desire to build the world's largest and most destructive floating fortiess, secondly Japan is claiming submarine equality with the British Empire, and thirdly the United States has put forward an astounding* programme for. creating her a first-class naval Power in addition to being the world's supreme military and air Power. Britain, on the grounds of parity, does not object io America building a superRodney, says the writer, but the proposition is a set-back to tho whole cause of disarmament. In view of the French programme, which entails submarine superiority, Britain would be forced to increase her destroyers.

"Ts the dreary pre-war system of competitive armaments to be continued even by. the signatories of the Ivellogc Pact?" asks Mr. Garvin. "The conference will fail if statesmen do not above technical details and insist upon a change of mind, habit and outlook."

HOPES DISAPPOINTED.

FEELING AT WASHINGTON.

BIG PROGRAMMES AS RESULT.

(Received February 16, 11.25 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. Despatches from London indicate that as the Naval Conference approaches its second month three of the main hopes namely, reduction in tonnage, the abolition of submarines and the elimination of battleships—are disappointed to the extent that statesmen have now realised that the chief results will be some of the finest naval construction programmes the world has yet seen. The Hoover Government, nevertheless, is not downcast, nor is it fearful of the results.

The President says he feels that the outlook for the conference is as favourable as could be expected. It is felt that the prospective treaty will provide for little or no immediate reduction by scrapping, except battleships, and that the agreement will consist of a stabilisation programme for the navies of the world bas<yl on a limitation of categories and replacements. That, it is believed, will lead to an actual reduction at the next Naval Conference, now tentatively projected for 1935.

PESSIMISM- IN SEANCE.

POWERS URGED TO. AGREE.

ITALIAN PAPER'S VIEW,

(Received February IG. 11.25 p.m.) PARIS. Feb. 15. All the French newspapers reflect dis-, appointment and pessimism at the progress" and prospects of the Naval Conference. Everywhere the need of guarantees of security is emphasised. Le Temps says it is time the Powers gave up hopes of duping France. If there is a rep.l desire to down navies let them show their confidence by signing mutual political agreements.

A message from Rome says the Tribuna remarks:—lt will be interesting to see how far the conference succeeds in, abating the French demands. Just as the Washington Conference resulted in the recognition of America as a naval Power the London Conference is called upon to recognise Franco ; as navally equal to Britain and America. • Only Italy has a sincere, desire to reduce armaments.