DISARMAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 20225, 9 July 1927, Page 7

DISARMAMENT

Geneva Conference ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES COMPLETE AGREEMENT OR NOTHING CRUISERS NOT SEPARATE ISSUE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, July 7. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent states that should the Geneva Conference, contrary to the expectation of the United States Government be unable to agree to cruiser limitation, it is understood to be the intention of America to refuse to make an agreement relative to submarines and destroyers, it being felt that the three classes of vessels cannot be treated separately. Sir Esme Howard who has returned from the country for a conference with Mr Frank Kellogg, Secretary for State, will remain for several days in order to be in direct touch with the United States Government and report its views to the Foreign Office. Sir Esme Howard stated that the United States and Britain respectively are best able to judge their own requirements, and no criticism should be directed by the people of one country against the other on this score, and if no agreement is reached at the Geneva conference no ill will should result. The Japanese Ambassador also called on Mr Kellogg.—A. and N.Z. JAPAN PRECIPITATES CRISIS. REFUSAL TO SANCTION INCREASED TONNAGE. (Rec. 7.25 p.m.) London, July 7. The Exchange Agency’s Geneva correspondent says that the executive has been summoned for Friday to decide the future of the conference. The British United Press Geneva correspondent says that Japan has flatly refused to acquiesce in America’s willingness to meet Britain’s ideas by increasing cruiser tonnage to 400,000 tons. This precipitated the meeting of the executive.—A. and N.Z. BRITISH AND AMERICAN VIEWS IRRECONCILABLE. (Rec. 7.25 p.m.) London, July 7. The Times Geneva correspondent says the fate of the Naval Conference remaiifs in suspense. The British and American proposals continue irreconcilable. Britain, remembering her bitter experience during war-time with enemy raiders, particularly the Emden, cannot abandon her demand for more ships of smaller tonnage, because the American idea of fewer ships of larger tonnage would never meet the Empire’s requirements. Britain has little use for a cruiser fleet of 10,000 tons apiece, and does not desire to be forced into building them. There is talk in League circles that the difficulty might be solved by comprehen. sive Anglo-American circles, but the Americans are of the opinion that the scheme might be feasible if it could be assumed that each country would assist the other if attacked.—Times. DEBATE IN COMMONS PROMISED. Rugby, July 7. The Prime Minister stated in Parliament that the debate on disarmament would take place in the House of Commons on the Foreign Office vote on Monday.—British Official Wireless.