NAVAL LIMITATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20583, 5 December 1928, Page 9

NAVAL LIMITATION

MR BRITTEN’S PROPOSALS. ‘ STATEMENT BY MR BALDWIN. (British Official Wireless.) (United Press - Association.) . . (Uy, Electric .Telegraph—Copyright.) ’ RUGBY, December 3. In the House of Commons to-day questions were asked regarding the communication addressed to Mr Baldwin by Mr Britten (chairman of the . Naval Affairs Committee- of the American House of Representatives), recalling the desire expressed by. Mr Baldwin in a speech on November 13 for more frequent personal discussion between American and British representatives,ahd. ■ proposing a . meeting on Canadian soil bctwecif the American Naval Affairs . Committee and a select "committee of the' British House of ■ Commons -to d ; scuss the subject of Anglo-American equality in sea power.. /'/ • The. Prime Minister’ said that he had replied to- Mr : Britten cordially reciprocating the spirit which inspired his suggestion, and sharing Mr Britten’s earnest desire for a complete understanding between the two countries. He had pointed out, however, that in his speech of November- 13, he was speaking, not, of the Legislatures, but of the executives of ■the ’Governments, and-It wad The abseneb of facilities for personal intercouse he-, tween Ministers which he regretted; Ex l ; ;Cept to. remove- this- possible: misunderstanding of his speech, he felt it would not.be consistent with the courtesy which he owed to the United States Government to express any further opinion on the proposal, about which he understood it had not been consulted. He would therefore only repeat his appreciation of Mr Britten’s friendly . sentiments. '■ FRAMED IN KINDLIEST SPIRIT.:; MESSAGE TO MR BRITTEN. * ; WASHINGTON, December 3. Mr Britten has received a personal cablegram from Mr Baldwin in reply, to his limitations suggestion, the com tents. of which he will -announce tomorrow, before a full .meeting of the House Naval Committee. Mr Britten said; The message is about 200 7 words long, and in-the kindliest spirit:”' ’: % Laguardia, a member of the Senate, suggested holding such a conference, but is arranging for same ■ through diplomatic channels, rather than appealing direct to Mr Baldwin.—Australian Press Association, i .A WEAK AMERICAN NAVY. INVITATION IFOR AGGRESSION. < ■ NEW: YORK, December 3. (Received Dec. 4, at. 9 p.m.) _,A d ' u^ al Desteiguer, commandant of the •li Naval District, in an address here said: “We must operate our own ocean transports if we are to continue to prosper, and ■ we have a well-knit naval system like that of- England, which we can well copy, to support it. Our people-to-day must make up their minds whether, or not to take, a secondary position in the world.--Our fleet and our wealth give ua ou r position in world affairs to-day and our wealth -without our fleet would be a mere invitation for aggression, f We are weak in cruisers. This is a burning queswon, and it is opposed by groups that are undermining our national character. A fleet is_ necessary to preserve our econonuc position because wo are a great creditor nation and people do not love their creditors. —Australian Press’ Association.