DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16571, 2 November 1921, Page 2

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE.

AMERICAN DELEGATES. By Telsgrraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian ajjd N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, October 31. The State Department has announced that the four American delegates to the Disarmament Conference will bo given ambassadorial rank, placing them on an equal footing with foreign delegates. MAD COMPETITION. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR'S VIEWS. WASHINGTON. October 31. Senator Swanson, ranking as a Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs, in a speech said that the Government unless greatly reduced, would certainly lead to further industrial distress, which would finally culminate in universal bankruptcy. “ The mad international competition in armaments can only he ended by tho success of tho Washington Conference,” he said. “ The United States Government taxes the people ten per cent of their total income. This is more than three times the 3 910 tax. People will cease to labour when thus forcibly deprived of the fruits of their toil. The United States should .recognise the dependence of Britain on access to the sea. alike in times of peace and war, for sustenance of her people and continuation of her industries, but we should insist that this gives no right of naval supremacy or places the commerce of the world under her control or dictation.” MR LLOYD GEORGE MAY NOT GO. MAY NOT ATTEND CONFERENCE LONDON. October 31. Speaking at the Pilgrims’ dinner in

honour of the British delegates to the Washington Conference, Mr Harvey, the United States Ambassador, described how Air Lloyd George accepted the invitation to the Conference, and declared his determination to do his utmost I/O make it a great success. The pledge had been kept to that'evening, when, unfortunately. Mr Lloyd George had become apprehensive that a more urgent duty might prevent him extending th© helpfulness and prestige of his prepence at the opening of the Conference. Owing to the geography of the United States, he did not fear war. Tho coasts might become targets, but to pronouce America unconquerable was the merest truism. But while impregnable, America haled war. It would be a test of the capacity of Governments to satisfy the universal longings for peace, prosperity and happiness.