BRITISH INITIATIVE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16376, 25 June 1927, Page 5

BRITISH INITIATIVE

NAVAL CONFERENCE DISCUSSIONS TO CONTINUE HOPES FOR AGREEMENT (Rice. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) GENEVA, June 23. The more one learns of events behind the scenes, the more obvious it becomes thai Britain has entirely taken over the initiative and the driving from the United States. Though the latter is the convening Power, il is no secret that the American naval delegates in (heir talks with American, British and foreign pressmen separately or collectively have ciil an indifferent figure compared with Earl Jellieoe, and Admirals Field and Kgertoii. These are Britain's Rig Three, and the full, detailed grasp they have shown of every aspect of the naval position, present and future, of all three Powers has created a most favorable impression upon the publicists and journalists. The plain fact emerges that Britain had the most complete and thorough study of problems in readiness for a naval disarmament conference of her own calling before Mr. Coolidge issued his invitations. On the other hand,, the' United States came " here with ill-prepared and undigested .schemes, Nobody therefore was surprised to hear that Admiral Field was immediately appointed chairman of the technical committee.

The unfortunate comparison between the calibre of the American naval personnel as against; Britain is shown by the former's support of tho "red herring" somebody raised that Britain, with her vast mercantile marine, can most quickly acquire the equivalent of increased cruiser strength by mounting guns on liners. Though the Americans will not admit it, the real issue . behind the United States' desire for cruiser strength is her lack of naval bases throughout the world, arid the consequent feeling that she must have a wider range of ships' than Britain with her bases in every ocean. POLICY OP FRANKNESS At present the conference in sectionally carrying on conversations at various hotels. Specialists are dealing with cruisers and other technical questions affecting destroyers and submarines. The technicians are expected to report on the basis of agreed "* facts almost immediately, when the Powers will lie in possession of information as to the position of each regarding auxiliaries built, building or authorised.

Britain's policy is frankness, and her ultimate desire to induce France and Italy to join in the convention is shown by the fact that observers of these nations have been admitted to the proceedings of the technical committee. So far, however, this has not modified the sarcasm of the French press. Le Temps is moderately critical, but the more popular newspapers do not hesitate to congratulate themselves on not joining the Geneva "farce," cynically declaring: "When the end comes we know what to do." Yesterday was devoted to exchanges of views, Mr. Gibson lengthily interviewed Mr. W. C. Bridgeman concerning the main lines of the British and American schemes, and planning the work of the conference. There is a note of optimism in all three camps. British official circles intimated that the plenary session is expected early next week.

Mr. Gibson, interviewed, said: "There is no cause for pessimism. We are trying to find a common denominator. There are still many dumplings to swallow, but we are sure to arrive at an agreement concerning auxiliary ships." INQUISITIVE JAPANESE The Japanese are persistently questioning the British. Answering inquirics asked about the proposed lengthening of the lives of warships, naval experts replied that experience had shown that a cruiser's hull remained ill good condition much longer than the present replacement periods. With two overhauls and new sets of boilers they would last nearly a quarter of a century. This was one of the most effective ways of reducing the taxpayers' burdens. The same applied to lengthening the periods of service of destroyers and submarines.

Admirals Field and Egerton vigorously championed the British suggestion for further reductions in size and gun-power of cruisers on the ground that every Power had built up to the Washington maximum cruiser limit. They emphasised that the balance would not he changed because the Washington ratios were retained, though the maximum size and power of cruisers had been reduced. American experts, in answer to Japanese inquiries, admitted that they were proposing to exempt from purview at the "present conference, firstly, surface naval vessels under 600 tons; secondly, surface combatant vessels between 600 and .'SOOO tons and under 17 knots; thirdly, all vessels not built as fighting ships, provided they did not mount, guns over n.Jin. This is clearly aimed at. the British war-time practice of mounting Oin. guns on liners. The object of considering cruiser and destroyer tonnage totals together was to prevent scrapping comparatively good ships in one class, and replacing with others of different class.

Mr. Bridgeman entertained at dinner the American delegation for the purpose of enabling them to meet the Dominion representatives, who are working in closest combination with the Admiralty experts.

but it is impossible to ignore it in discussions. RESTRICTING SUBMARINES BASIS FOR AGREEMENT (N.Z., and A.P.A., and Sun.) •LONDON, June 24. The Morning Post’s Geneva correspondent states that experts searching for :i common ground from which to begin building up an agreement followed the line of least resistance by tackling submarines, whereon agreement is likely by the weekend on the basis of decreeing two types. This compromise is the result of the tact and skill of British experts. The next step will be destroyers.

INFORMAL CONFERENCES

BETTER UNDERSTANDING (British Offlcial Wireless.)' (Ecc. noon.) LONDON, Juuo 24. 1 J Delegates to the Geneva Conference to-day requested Mr. W. C. Bridgcmau, First Sea Lord, to bo chairman of the executive committee, and also decided to form groups consisting of naval experts to study from a technical viewpoint the limitation of cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. Informal conversations have taken pheo between the principal delegates, and these have contributed to fi better understanding of the proposals, and 1 are believed to have materially assist- ! eel progress. It is emphasised in 1 British quarters that material results from this conference are particularly desirable as a means of assisting the task of the League of Nations Dis- ' [trmariiont Conference, the preparatory committee of which meets again in ' November. It is.urged in regard to capital ships that while the Powers at Washington undertook for a stated period not to exceed a certain tonnage thcro is nothing to provent the acceptance of the British proposals to reduce those ■ figures.