ARMAMENT REDUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17837, 9 October 1929, Page 5

ARMAMENT REDUCTION

MR HOOVER’S INTENTIONS. REDUCING CRUISER TONNAGES. OTHER QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.j NEW YORK, Oct. 9. There is some sign that Mr Hoover is still determined to carry out a reduction of naval armaments as well as limitations. He has discussed with Mr MacDonald the problem of still further reducing the cruiser tonnage agreed upon in the latter’s conversations with Mr Dawes, without running counter to the hostile public sentiment in both countries. It Is also believed that the President and Mr MacDonald considered the possibility of deferring the replacement of dreadnought tonnage, as provided in the Washington Treaty. However, this is not likely to be 'included in the agenda of the forthcoming conference. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says satisfaction was given by Mr MacDonald's speech in the Senate and the knowledge that tlie Invitations to the conference have been sent out. This satisfaction was increased by the Joint statement of Messrs Hoover and MacDonald. The impression prevails that this implies a widening of their discussions —which, at first, i’t was believed, would bo confined chiefly to naval matters and world peace—-to include such topics as the failure to renew the expired Anglo-American arbitration treaty, trade rivalry, the shipment of liquor from British possessions to the United States and the most important question of all, though one not likely to be given any place on the agenda of the conference, namely the freedom of the seas. Mr MacDonald's references to parity in his address to the Senate made a particularly deep impression. Ilis entire address was loudly cheered and those members of the Senate who will pass judgment upon any disarmament treaty that may be concluded as a result of the conference rendered the British Prime Minister high praise.