The Wanganui Chronicle SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1927. THE U.S.A. AND DISARMAMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19771, 19 February 1927, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1927. THE U.S.A. AND DISARMAMENT

Though no official acceptances have as yet been, announced, it would appear that all the Powers except one are prepared to respond to President Coolidge’s invitation to a further conference upon naval disarmament. The exception is France which takes the view, virtually, that a conference, as suggested, is unnecessary, since the whole subject is now being considered by the League of Nations.

This means that the President’s scheme will fall flat. But he is so anxious to see building curtailed that he proposes a three-Power conference between Britain, the United States and Japan. Apparently his idea is that these three should agree to limit their programmes, leaving France and Italy to do all the building they please. That may be all very well for the United States with its comparative isolation, but the palpable disadvantage at which it would place Britain will naturally cause conjecture as to what lies behind so futile a proposal. In referring a few days ago to the President’s invitation, we alluded to the probable reasons—rather cleverly guessed by Japan and frankly avowed in Washington itself—which prompted him, remarking at the same time that the world would perhaps not examine his motives too closely if benefit resulted. Now that the original scheme appears about to collapse and an alternative and quite useless one is put forward, one may be forgiven for wondering why the United States is so desperately anxious to tie Britain and Japan down while France and Italy have a free hand. Is it prompted by altruism or by expediency?

The'Japanese opinion is that the proposal is due to the condition of United States internal politics. Washington circles themselves admit that, without limitation, it is going to cost them a tremendous amount of money to continue their programme already adopted. During recent years the United States has spent enormous sums on naval armaments and equipment, particularly in the Pacific, and there is not the least doubt that they are directed against Japan. The States have endeavoured to justify this course by asserting that Japan is arming against them. Has the United States, in vulgar parlance, “bitten off more than it could chew?” If so, the reason for the. proposal of a three-Power conference would not be far to seek.