LIMITING NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 March 1927, Page 9

LIMITING NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

Preparatory Committee at Geneva. DRAFT CONVENTION SUBMITTED

By Cable —Press Association-Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 22, 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, March 21.

The Preparatory Committee oil tho Disarmament Conference has opened. Viscount Cecil presented a draft convention, providing (1) That contractants inform the Secretary-Genoi-al of the League, every year the amount they propose spending on land, naval and air armaments during the year. (2) To limit land effectives. (3) Tho tonnage of any one ship, the number and tonnage of all ships, their class, calibre of guns must not exceed the figures laid down. (4) Contractants to accept the Washington Naval Agreement. The Limitation of Air Armaments shall be effected by restricting the number of aircraft attached to shore basis to fifty. One chapter deals with procedure, in cases of a violation of tho convention, the duration of which is ten years. Viscount Cecil said the Convention does not propose definite figures, which remain to be settled by a conference, possibly in June. Iho Convention does nob prevent contractants increasing their armaments beyond the figures of the prospective treaty in case:—(l) Of war in whicn the contraetnnt is a belligerent; (2) threatened by rebellion; (3) any emergency involving serious military operations; (1) in cases where such an increase is agreed to by the League Council.

REDUCTION OF NAVAL ESTIMATES. DISCUSSED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association. (Received March 22, 5.5 f/.m.) LONDON, March 22. In the House of Commons, on the report of flic Navy Estimates, Professor H. B. Lees-Smith (Labour) moved to reduce the rote by 100 men. The Labour Party desired the opportunity of bringing to the House the broad outline of the proposals which it considered should be submitted in the name of Britain to the coming Conference. The Party had set down a motion, staling, while welcoming the proposals, it was of opinion that national security could only be assured by an international agreement for a substantial all-round reduction of naval armament, including the abolition of capital ships ana submarinas, and the reduction of maximum cruisers for police purposes.

Professor Smith said the Labour Party Wanted the First Lord to make a speech on disarmament, which would send him ■to history, as one of the greatest naval revolutionists. It would meet with a terrific reception in public opinion in America. If the maximum tonnage cruisers were 5000 tons, it would be adequate to protect commerce, and Would render tho Singapore base unnecessary. There would be no threat from Japan, and the whole situation in Australian wateis would be transformed. Such a programme might involve certain risks, but they would not bo as great as the continuance of naval rivalry. Mr lan Macplienson (Liberal) said that England had to be most careful in connection with armament, because she was in a different position from others. If there were to be disarmament, it must be universal and comparative.

Sir H. S. Foster (Conservative) said it was not generally realised that allowing for the difference in money value, the present Estimates for the Navy were one-third less than the total in 1914. He hoped the Admiralty would not consent to further reduction, which, in their view, would endanger trade routes to the slightest degree.

FACING STERN REALITIES. WORLD’S BIGGEST PROBLEM. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cabls Association. (Received March 22, 10.30 p.m.) GENEVA, March 22. In presenting a draft of the Disarmament Convention, Viscount Cecil said tho development in n(pdern armaments since the last wav was such that tho greatest problem facing the world is whether we can take advantage of the present lull to build up safeguards that will prevent another war, which might end our civilisation. The Disarmament Commission must demonstrate that reduction by limitation of armaments is a practical possibility. After that, each nation must declare its position regarding armaments. M. Boncour (France) announced that he would submit a plan embodying the views of the French Government. Signor Demannis (Italy) said if all the other Powers reduced armaments, Italy was ready to follow, but her geographical position must not be overlooked. NEED FOR SINGAPORE. VIEWS OF BRITISH M.P’s. By Cable-—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 21In the House of Gommons, Sir EL S. Foster said that as the Imperial Conference had strongly reaffirmed the strategic value of Singapore, lie helped

other parts of the Empire would follow the lead of the Malay States aud see the justice and necessity of cooperating in relieving the Mother Country of part of the heavy exixmso involved. Commander Bellairs said Britain, America and Japan should agree to abolish the submarine, and leave France, Italy and others to follow suit. Mr Bfidgeman, replying said Britain in nowire began tlie post-war race in naval armaments, and had not laid down a single ship till 1924. Britan would submit definite proposals at Mr Coolidge’a Conference, but could not accept the suggested abolition oi battleships and submarines. The only formula that it could accent was subject to the consideration that Britain stood in a unique position dependent for her existence on the freedom of the seas. The Government was prepared to consider any proposal for the limitation of armaments if accepted by the other Powers. Subject to safeguarding tlie position of Britain and til© Empire, there was no proposition tli© Government would not consider for the limitation of future armaments. The amendment was negatived by 231 to 92 and the vote carried. LabOurities in order to protest against tlie expenditure on the Singapore base moved a reduction of the dockyards vote. The amendment was negatived 1 213 to 88. .