DISARMAMENT PROBLEM

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17076, 13 April 1927, Page 7

DISARMAMENT PROBLEM

DISCUSSION AT GENEVA.

AN APPARENT DEADLOCK.

ON THE NAVAL ASPECT.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) GENEVA, April 12..

An apparent deadlock on the naval armaments issue was reached at yesterday's sitting of the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament. Viscount Cecil (Britain), in an earnest and important speech, announced that the British Government considered the revised proposals of France to be unacceptable. It felt obliged to adhere to the terms of its own draft convention, in which limitation would I fc arrived at by categories instead of by total tonnage. Britain regarded it as vital not to interfere with the settlement embodied in lire Washington Treaty which was working smoothly. She felt that the French proposals opened a wide door to competition in respect to the power, size and gunpower of ships. Lord Cecil added that Britain had special responsibilities in connection with naval questions and would he false to them if she accepted any system which would not yield real security.

General di Marinis (Italy) also said his Government found the French draft unacceptable, because it would be impossible to discuss a subdivision of her fleet into vessels employed in home and colonial defence.

M. Paul Boncour (France) said his country, having accepted a great disproportion at Washington, could not accept any proposition which would restrain her liberty to dispose of the tonnage in the remaining classes as the needs for her security might dictate.

At a conference with journalists Lord Cecil said the Commission would draw up a report upon the points on which it had agreed, and would possibly adjourn after Easter until November.

The conference suggested by America, to which Lord Cecil said lie attached the utmost importance, would meet at Geneva on June 20.