NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 7

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

FURTHER LIMITATION PRESIDENT COOLIDGE S PROPOSALS PRINCIPLE GENERALLY WELCOMED. [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 12. President Coolidge’s proposals for another conference on naval armaments are attracting attention. The “Daily Telegraph” points out that as far as Britain is concerned it is apparent that the naval problems to which President Coolidge refers concern not only Britain, but the population of the Dominions. They were represented at the Washington Conference, and any action which this country should take must be in full harmony with the younger nations. The “Daily Express” hopes there will be no attempt to ignore or repudiate President Coolidge’s friendly gesture. Successive' Governments have always welcomed an extension of the principle of the limitation of armaments. It is understood, however, that the Admiralty argues that a higher ratio should be allowed Britain owing to the fact that she has longer trade routes to protect than any other Power. The “Daily Chronicle” says that President Coolidge’s proposal to separate naval disarmament from the' larger issues comes at an opportune moment. “The preparatory Commissions of Inquiry served to reveal the infinity and perplexity of the problem. If five Powers can give an example of denial as regards submarines and cruisers, may wo not hope the next step will soon follow, and a plan be' devised limiting I aeroplanes and suppressing poison gas?’’ the paper asks.

FRANCE NOT ENTHUSIASTIC SEES DANGER IN LIMITATION. A PROBLEM FOR GENEVA. Received Feb. 13, 8.5 p.m. PARIS, Feb. 12. The Press received President Coolidge’s proposals coolly, considering the limitation of small cruising craft damaging to France. “Le Temps” expresses the opinion that the proposals are essentially those of a country not fearing attack. France is determined to solve the disarmament problem via Geneva, not via Washington, on the basis that naval, military and air forces are inseparable while' war is a potentiality. Population, - sources, industrial development and geographical situation must also be considered. AMERICA’S LEAD WELCOMED IN GERMANY. “NO AXE TO GRIND.” Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. BERLIN, Feb. 12. The Foreign Office spokesman welcomes President Coolidge’s proposals, and states that he believes the United States is most qualified to assume the initiative in disarmament, because it has no axe to grind. ITALY’S ATmWE LIKELY TO FAVOUR PROPOSALS. WILL CLAIM EQUALITY WITH FRANCE. Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. ROME, Feb. 12. It is practicalaly assured that Italy will accept President Coolidge’s invitation, though she is certain to claim equality with France in naval building. WELL RECEIVED IN’ JAPAN DIFFERENT RATIO WANTED. SINGAPORE BASE A DISTURBING ELEMENT. Received Feb. 13, 8.15 p.m. TOKIO, Feb. 12. . The keynote of the vernacular Frees comment regarding disarmament proposals is that they will be welcomed in principle, though the ideal is regarded as difficult of achievement. The application of the 5-5-3 ratio to all classes of vessels is unanimously apposed. There is an underlying feeling

' that the proposal is closely connected with American internal politics. The newspaper “Asahi” considers that th« first step should be spiritual armament limitation, in which it includes the suspension of the construction of the Singapore naval base and the modification of the American immigration legislation, which the paper regards as disturbing elements. LEAGUE CIRCLES PLEASED BIG STEP TOWARDS DISARMAMENT. GRATIFICATION EXPRESSED. Received Feb. 13, 6.10 p.m. GENEVA Feb. 12. President Coolidge’s proposals wcro most unexpected, but were received with the greatest gratification in League circles. They are regarded as the greatest single advance yet made for world disarmament. They are tantamount to the transferring of the discussion of naval disarmament from Washington to Geneva. c — r-rr TEST OF GOOD FAITH AMERICA NOT OVER OPTIMISTIC. FRANCE THE STUMBLING BLOCK. Received Feb. 13, 7.20 p.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 12. The Washington correspondent of the New York “Times” states that a feeling exists there that the disarmament proposals will be futile, but there is a rather general opinion that they wfii not only test the good faith of the chief naval powers, but will also clear the way for the determination of future American naval policy. The President expects the proposals to be accepted, and feels that if th 3 naval situation is clarified by a conference, the way will be cleared for an agreement upon a standard of land aud air curtailment. The members of the Senate Naval Affairs Committee have issued a joigt statement to show that to bring the United States to naval equality with Britain it would be necessary to enter a tremendous building programme. It is thought hero that Britain and Japan will accept PresidentC oolidge”s invitation, but Franco is regarded as the stumbling block. The feeling prevails that while four Powers may agree to the President’s proposal to the extent of holding a conference, it is questionable whether an actual armament reduction agreement would result. However, if France alone is responsible for the failure, it is practically certain that a determined drive will be made in Congress to have President Coolidge abandon his opposition to the further construction of light cruisers and to augment this class to meet the superiority of other Powers.