DOOR STILL OPEN'

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 231, 29 September 1928, Page 9

DOOR STILL OPEN'

BRITISH OPINION

American Proposal On Tonnage

Will Be Considered.

"NO FEESH SUGGESTIONS." (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1 ij.ui.i RUGBY, September 25. The United States Ambassador in London to-day handed to Lord Cushendun. Acting-Foreign Secretary, the reply of his Government to the" Anglo-Fren#ii proposals on naval limitation.

The proposals, which constituted a compromise reached between the opposing British and French views to the methods of reckoning naval tonnage, were two months ago submitted to the American, Italian and Japanese Governments as a possible basis for futine discussion in the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference.

The Japanese Government some time a"o notified London and Paris of their approval and the Italian Government also regarded the proposals sympathetically. The American Note does not favour the proposals. Although it contains no fresh suggestions for achieving naval limitation, it docs not close the door upon further discussions. After a detailed examination of the Vnflo-French proposals, and a restatement of the American .views, as enunciated at the Geneva Naval Conference, the Note concludes by suggesting that permission be granted any Power to vary the percentage of tonnage in different classes, provided the total tonnage limit is not exceeded. It says a proposal along these lines, made by <«rea r Britain and discussed by the American and British representatives, would be sympathetically considered by the United States.

The Koto, is being examined bv the Government Departments concerted and will be considered by Cabinet, which will decide what further steps are possible to find a basis for the resumption of the work of the Preparatory Committee, which was the sole object ot the recent- British initiative.

CONCILIATORY TOUCH.

U.S.A. Leaves Door Open For

Further Negotiations.

ANGLO-FRENCH PROPOSALS

(Australian and N. 55. Press Association.)

PARIS, September 28

According to hints from the French Foreign Office the President, Mr. Coolidge, added a conciliatory touch when he was completing the final draft of the Note. It is understood that Mr. Coolidgc has intimated that America does not agree with the French point of view. A spokesman from the Foreign Office said that if this ]* so "the agreement between France and Britain is at an end.

"But we hope," he said, "to find an acceptable basis for negotiation after Japan and Italy have replied. A suggestion lias been thrown out that it would be better to send a commission of naval experts to Washington than to negotiate through the embassies." A message from Rome says the "Giornale d'ltalia," which often reveals the official view, asserts that Italy shares America's misgivings. The two countries may unite, at Geneva or elsewhere, to protect their respective interests and international peace. The "Petit Parisiei*'' understands that the American Note says the Government regrets that it cannot endorse the Franco-British naval compromise, as it does not meet American needs. The Note emphasises that the Navy Department cannot agree to a limitation in large cruisers being offset by a corresponding limitation in light cruisers, submarines find auxiliary eraft. The Note makes no concrete suggestions, but leaves the door open for further conversations regarding a reduction in armaments.