U.S. DISARMAMENT POLICY OUTLINED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18186, 20 June 1927, Page 14

U.S. DISARMAMENT POLICY OUTLINED.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, June 18 The American proposals for the Geneva Disarmament Conference are completed. It is understood that they include the following:— (1) The establishment of the 5-5-3 ratio for auxiliary craft for Britain, the United States and Japan, similar to the existing capital ship ratio, and opposition to Japan’s desire for a larger ratio for herself. (2) The retention of the 10,000 maximum tonnage for cruisers, and opposition to the possible British and Japanese move for a 6000 or 8000 maximum. (3) The retention of five-inch guns for cruisers, in opposition to the possible British policy of the six-inch limit, which is suitable for merchant ships. (4) The acceptance, if necessary, of American equality in the cruiser ratio, based on Britain’s present superior tonnage, thus necessitating an American building programme instead of a British reduction. (5) Opposition to any effort to reduce the tonnage capital of ships or re-define the capital of ships already fixed by the Washington Treaty. (6) Opposition to the possible Japanese move to discuss Pacific fortifications. (7) Refusal to discuss the Panama Canal or so-called freedom of international waterways. •It is understood that the American policy as outlined is equally acceptable to both diplomatic and naval advisers. The administration, therefore, is not expected to incur naval displeasure this time, as it did with features of the Washington Treaty. Mr E. W. Gibson, head of the American delegation, will outline the proposal in a general form at the opening of the conference. EMPIRE’S UNITED FRONT. GENEVA, June 19. “ The British Empire will present a united front at the Naval Conference," said Mr W. C. Bridgeman, in an interview. He added that unity would be preserved through constant consultation. Asked whether there would be any restriction on the discussions, Mr Bridgeman said he regarded the agenda as covering everything concerning ships. When Britain accepted the invitation she made it clear that all sorts of limitations would be discussed.