U.S. LEGISLATORS SUPPORT APPEAL MADE TO BALDWIN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 8

U.S. LEGISLATORS SUPPORT APPEAL MADE TO BALDWIN

MR BRITTEN’S ACTION ENDORSED BY HOUSE NAVAL COMMITTEE. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received December 5, 9.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 4. Mr F. A. Britten told the House Naval Committee that Mr Baldwin’s reply to his cablegram “opens the door” for another Disarmament Conference He based his observations on Mr Baldwin’s words: "I cordially reciprocate the spirit which inspired your suggestion and 'I share x'our earnest desire for a complete understanding between our two countries.”

Mr Britten advised his colleagues that he had not trespassed upon any Government prerogatives by his direct appeal to Mr Baldwin. He said that he aimed only to further the desires of the public of the United States, England and other nations for relief from their armaments difficulties and the avoidance of a naval competition race and had sought to promote these ends by getting another Arms Conference.

Mr Britten said that in communicating with Mr Baldwin he was under the impression that the Prime Minister’s statement last November advocating more frequent personal discussions between American and British representatives applied to the representatives cf the people and not to diplomats He explained that his communications were intended to be private, but Mr Baldwin’s reply said that the Prime Minis ter was speaking not of legislators but of executives.

Representative Vinson asked if it would not be proper to ask President Coolidge to call a Conference between the leading Powers, but Mr Britten replied that he believed that some ether nation w’oufd call a meeting before 1931. He said that he purposely av oided communicating with the State Department as the United States had already clone its utmost to obtain limitations and he thought the legislators should not take the initiative.

The House Committee unanimously supported Mr Britten’s proposal for a Conference and adopted a resolution moved by Representative Vinson that ‘‘this committee reiterates its often expressed desire to extend the 5-5-3 ratio principle of the Washington Agreement to all classes of naval ships.” Representative Andrews said that the adoption of the resolution would not impede the Cruiser Bill pending in the Senate. —Australian Press Association.