EFFORTS FOR PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23175, 22 October 1938, Page 13

EFFORTS FOR PEACE

BRITAIN AND AMERICA CO-OPERATION OF NAVIES MERCHANT SHIPPING NEXT British Wireless RUGBY, Oct. 20 Much interest was displayed in a speech delivered at a Navy League dinner, in which Mr. J. P. Kennedy, American Ambassador, stated that in building up her Navy the United States had been able to ignore the possibility of her vessels ever having to engage British ships.

"We can allow ourselves to say that we shall never again be enemies." said Mr. Kennedy. "As far as Britain and America are concerned the Navy is an incentive not to disturb but to keep the peace." Mr. Kennedy admitted that there was room for more harmonious relations in.merchant shipping. "We have come to agreement on naval limitation. We are developing Atlantic aviation on a co-operative basis. There is no reason why we should not come to terms on mercantile marine. Shipping, instead of a business, has become an adjunct to national defence." The Daily Telegraph, in commenting on the speech, says: "It is well known that there has been recently close contact between the British Admiralty and the United States Navy Department leading to an agreement, for example, on maximum tonnage and gun calibre of future battleships. "The official declaration of the absolute independence of the policy of the United States seems, however, to be in full force. We are convinced that the stronger the United States Navy becomes, the better it will be for the peace of the world. America has proof enough that the British fleets must be strong if peace and order are to be defended."