DISARMAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 20208, 20 June 1927, Page 8

DISARMAMENT

THE COOLIDGE CONFERENCE. London, June 17. The Geneva correspondent of the Central News has learned from an authoritative American source that the Coolidge Conference will not raise the question of the Singapore base provided that the Washington Convention is immune from criticism. —A. and N.Z. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. CONFERENCE OPENS TO-DAY. Geneva, June 17. The disarmament sessions open on Monday afternoon.—A. and N.Z. GERMAN FORTRESSES. Paris, June 17. It is understood the work of examining and reporting on the work of the destruction of Germany’s eastern fortifications has been entrusted to three military experts, including an American. —A. and N.Z. AMERICA’S PROPOSALS. GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE. NO OPPOSITION EXPECTED FROM NAVY. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, June 18. The American proposals for the Geneva disarmament conference are completed. It is understood they include first: the establishment of a five, five, three ratio of auxiliary craft for Britain, United States and Japan similar to the existing capital ship ratio and opposition to Japan’s desire for a larger ratio for herself; secondly, the retention of 10,000 maximum tonnage cruisers and opposition to a possible British and Japanese move for a 6000 or 8000 maximum; thirdly, the retention of five-inch guns for cruisers in opposition to a possible British policy of a six-inch limit, which is suitable for merchant ships; fourthly, acceptances if necessary of American equality in the cruiser ratio based on Britain’s present superior tonnage, thus necessitating an American building programme instead of a British reduction; fifthly, opposition to any effort to reduce the tonnage of capital ships or re-define capital ships already fixed by the Washington Treaty; sixthly, opposition to a possible Japanese move to discuss Pacific fortifications; seventhly, refusal to discuss the Panama Canal or 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 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 a general form at the opening of the conference.—A. and N.Z.