ARMAMENT LIMITATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16583, 16 November 1921, Page 8

ARMAMENT LIMITATION.

A STEP OF ADVANCE, j By Telegraph— Pr«< Association— ConTrigllt. | Australian and N.Z. Cable Association , (Received November 16, U" I'.m.i LONDON, November 15. Mr Asquith, speaking in London, referred to the Washington Conference. He snid that in a single net* a longer step of advance had been taken than ; any during the last three years. The American proposal would be accepted ; ,rith unanimity by all nations as pro- | vidinir a means of escaping from the j intolerable burden of armaments. In i his judgment the problem of naval disarmament lies on the threshold of a newt and better Europe. JAPAN ACCEPTS. SPEECH BY 'MB BALFOUR. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (■Received November 16, Mo p.m > LONDON. November 15. There were no surprise* to-day at the plenavv conference. Mr Balfour announced that the British Empire s heartiest and fullest sympathy was with the United States’ proposals, and promised full, loyal and complete co-opera-tion. He did not go into details beyond those already indicated. The three proposals vrere presented with, such art that it came as a profound shock and a surprise when they realised that anew chapter in a history of the world was being worthily opened. Mr Balfour then proceeded to compare the position of the British Empire, which was dependent on food supplies from overseas with its centre having never mo£s than seven weeks* supplies, with that of the United States, solid, impregnable, self-suf-ficient, and wholly free from the particular perils which the British Empire had to face. “These matters,'* said Mr Balfour, “ mere remem be red by our enemies. Let them not bo forgotten by our friends. The British Delegation, having considered the scheme with admiration and approval, agree with it in spirit and in principle. They consider it the basis of the greatest reform in armaments ever conceived csr carried. It is folly to pretend that this or any scheme deals with every subject. “ For the time being it omits consideration of other nations’ conditions which are untouched by the heavy burden of land armaments. Britain is in the heartiest and fullest sympathy with the policy of the United States, which rightly' takes a battle fleet and complementary vessels as the basis of discussion. We think the proportion of tonnage acceptable and the limitation reasonable. We think it should be. accepted and believe it will be accepted, ft will have our full, loyal and complete co-operation (prolonged applause) It is ill-fitting to go into details which can only be dealt with adequately in committee. QUESTION OF SUBMARINES. • “ Our experts are inclined to think that too large an amount of tonnage ie permitted for submarines, which class of vessels is most easily abused and which was most easily abused during the Great War. It might bo practic able and desirablo to forbid altogether the construction of super-submarines which are used as an offensive weapon and confine that arm of the navy to defensive purposes alone. “ Thore are also questions of manner of replacements and tonage of cruisers not connected with and not required for the action of a fleet. The main plan was not affected by these considerations. Whatever happened that structure remained clear and firm.” Baron Kato (Japan) gladly accepted the proposals. Japan isi ready to proceed with a determination for a sweeping reduction in naval armaments. Mr Hughes, in adjourning the session, said that the question of disarmament went to the committee with the assurance that the outcome of the conference would be an agreement which uould mean that offensive naval warfare would he no more.