NAVAL LIMITATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16371, 20 June 1927, Page 7

NAVAL LIMITATION

TO-DAY’S BIG CONFERENCE

AMERICA’S PROPOSALS

(Elec. Tel. Copyright— United Press Assu.i (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, .Tunc 18.

The American proposals for the Geneva Disarmament Conference are competed. It is understood they include the following:—

(1) The establishment of the ratio for auxiliary craft for Britain, United States and Japan, similar to the existing capital ship ratio, in opposition to Japan’s desire for a larger ratio for herself.

(2) The retention of the 10,000 maximum tonnage for cruisers, and the opposition to a possible British and Japanese move for GOOO or 8000 tonnage maximum.

(3) The retention of Jin. guns for yruisers, in opposition to a possible British policy of the Gin. limit, which is suitable for merchant ships. (4) The acceptance if necessary of American equality in the cruiser latio, based on Britain’s present, superior tonnage, thus necessitating an American building programme, instead of,a British reduction. (5) Opposition to any effort to reduce the tonnage of capital ships or iv-define capital ships already fixed by the Washington Treaty. (6) Opposition to a possible Japanese move to discuss Pacific fortifications.

(7) Refusal to discuss the Panama Canal or the so-called freedom of international waterways.

It is understood the American policy as outlined is equally acceptable to both diplomatic and naval advisers. The Administration, therefore, is not expected to incur the naval displeasure this time, as it did with the features of the Washington 'Treaty.

Mr. Gibson, head of the American Delegation, will outline the proposals in general form at the opening of the conference.

EMPIRE’S UNITED FRONT

A WIDE AGENDA

(N.Z., and A.P.A., and Sun.) GENEVA, June 19

The British Empire will present a United front at the Naval Conference, said Mr. W. C. Bridgeman, in qn interview. lie added that unity would be preserved through constant consultation. Asked whether there would he any restriction on the discussions, Mr. Bridgeman said he regarded the agenda as covering everything concerning ships. When Britain accepted the invitation she made it clear that all sorts of limitations would be discussed.