UNCLE SAM FIRM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 84, 30 June 1927, Page 13

UNCLE SAM FIRM

BRITISH SCHEME OPPOSED EQUALITY DEMANDED By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright GENEVA, Tuesday. The American delegates to the naval arms limitation conference interpret the statements made by Admiral Saito and Viscount Ishii (Japan) about capital ships as foreshadowing Japanese support of Britain’s ideal. The Americans nevertheless maintain an unaccommodating mood in respect to a plan which naval experts say would save the three Powers at least £100,000,000. Foreign observers comment that the conveners of the conference are now championing the maintenance of the largest and most expensive battleships. They are puzzled by the reiteration of the statement by. Mr. Hugh Gibson that America later might ask for larger battleships. To-day, for the first time, Mr. Gibson expatiated upon Washington’s claim for equality with Britain in every category of ships. He admitted that America might not immediately build up to that equal status, but said she would not come a step nearer to the British demand that auxiliary strengths should be based on actual needs. That, said Mr. Gibson, could not result in anything approaching equality between Britain and America.—A. and N.Z. JAPAN AND BRITAIN WASHINGTON RUMOURS NEW YORK, Tuesday. The Washington correspondent of the New York “Times” says officials state that a misunderstanding has apparently arisen about a report to the effect that Japan has agreed with Britain to open a discussion on capital ships at the Geneva conference. Stress is laid on the fact that the Japanese delegates to the conference have merely intimated that they will not oppose a discussion on the reduction in size of battleships after an agreement has been reached about auxiliary craft. Officials at Washington decline to commit themselves categorically on the question whether the United States will consent to such a discussion. However, they express the strongest opposition to any attempt to revise the Washington Treaty at this time. They say a dispariy in favour of Britain would arise in view of her construction of the Rodney and the Nelson if the United States should agree to build no ships after 1931 greater than 25,000 to 30,000 tons. The State Department and the Japanese Embassy deny sensational rumours to the effect that Japan has entered into a secret agreement with Britain “as a result of trade involving Britain’s policy in the Far East.” The State Department reiterates that it is optimistic as to the outcome of the Geneva conference.—A .and N.Z.