DISARMAMENT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 14 February 1927, Page 6

DISARMAMENT.

(Per Press Association—Copyright) GENEVA, February 12. President Coolidge’s proposals were most unexpected, but were received with the greatest gratification in League circles. They are regarded as the greatest single advance hitherto made for world disarmament. They are tantamount to transferring the discussion of naval disarmament frou, Washington to Geneva. LONDON, February 12 President Coolidge’s proposal continues to attract attention. The “Daily Telegraph” points out that as far as Britain is concerned, it is apparent that naval problems, to which President Coolidge refers, concern not only us, but the population of the Dominions. They were represented at the Washington Conference, and any action which this country should take must he in full harmony with the younger nations. The “Daily Express” hopes there will be no attempt to ignore or lepudiate President Coolidge’s friendly gesture. NEV YORK, February 12. ihe Washington correspondent of the New York “Times” states that the feeling exists here that President Coolidge’s disarmament proposals will be futile, but there is a rather general opinion that they will not only test the good faith of the chief ' naval Powers, but will also clear the way for a determination of future American naval policy. The President expects the proposals to be accepted, and feels if the naval situation is clarified by a conference, the way will be cleared for an agreement upon the standard of land and air curtailment. Members of the Senate Naval -Affairs Committee issued a joint statement to show that to bring the United fetates to a naval equality with Britain Jt would be necessary to enter upon a tremendous building programme It “ thought here that Britain 'and Japan will accept President Coolidge a Invitation, but France is regarded as the stumbling block. Jhe Foreign Office spokesman a. Berlin welcomes President Coolidge’s P'oposal He states that he believes the United States is the most qualified to assume the initiative in disarmament. because it has no axe to grind. "he French Press receives President toohdges proposals cooly, considering the limitation of small cruising craft damaging to France. th < I<tlfbTe 1 < t I fb Ten ’ PS , expressc6 the opinion ii.it the proposals are essentially those «f a country not fearing land attack’ prance is determined to solve the disarmament problem via Geneva no? Washington, on the basis that thhaval, military and air forces are mseparable. while war potentiality, nc uding population resources industrial development and geographical citnatmn must also be considered. .is practically assured that Italy trill accept President Coolidge’s invitation, though she is certain to claim

equality with France in naval buildin.. The keynote of the vernacular Press comment in Japan is that it will be welcomed in principle, though it is regarded difficult of achievement. The application of 5-5-3 ratio to all classes of vessels is unanimously opposed. There is an underlying feeling that the proposal is closely connected with American internal politics. “Asahi” considers the first steps should be spiritual armament limitaiton, in which it includes suspension cf the construction of the Singapore naval base, and a modification of American immigration legislation, which the paper regards as disturbing elements.