NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 82, 31 December 1920, Page 5

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

PROPOSED. LIMITATION

BRITAIN UNHESITATINGLY AGREES

EQUAL STRENGTH STANDARD

■ACCEPTABLE

(B.y'rdcgrapli-PreEß Aseociation-Oopyrlffht

London, December 29. Britain's answer to the American suggestion regarding tlio limitation of naval armaments has bee.ii an immediate and definite "\ r ef*" Public men of nil parties liavo blessed the proposal; the Church, Press, Labour, and commerce spontaneously advocate it. Every news- ! paper is opening its columns to discussion, and no correspondent csut be fo.und ppiimietic enough to assert that Britain is ablo'to finance without the gravest risks the stupendous effort in 'such competitive building programmes outlined by Japan and America. The Government lias been working for some time for such an agreement, and is confident! tliat Anglo-American relations will improve, and refusos to believe that an AngloI American war is possible. Sir. Harding's unofficial envoys to Europe indieato a strong policy of friendship and trust.

The surprises lias lieen tho avidity with which Japan has accepted Mio idea. The immediate entry of the Japanese Ambassador into the arena aiid his daily repetition of Japan's willingness to sign an agreement suggests tlmt important! ofii-

cijil conversations preceded the public ventilation of tho idea. Another 6urprise is Mr. Walter long's m-essagc to America declaring that) Britain, although an island Power entirely dependent upon ocean highways, is willing to accept a'standard of equal strength with the next Power. Thus are the ghosts of the old political controversies oil the two-keel standard laid. No voice bewails them. Tho country is intent upon a long peace. Harassed financially and eager for limiiVition of American building it knows that the hugo and unlimited Japanese and American programmes would during tho difficult years ahead bo an unsupportable nightmare.

lord Northeliffe's statement thatl the Empire would never join tho Japanese in: war'against America remains undisputed. Lord Nortltcliffe says that in no circumstances whatever is it jiossiblo tlo iinito Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa ngaiust America on behalf of Japan. The latter is a young nation, able, intelligent, initiative, and industrious, but inexperienced in world politics. The Japanese are making bad basic mistakes in trade, and if they are building against America 'they lack a sense of proportion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNITED STATES APPROPRIATIONS REPUBLICANS WILL REDUCE THEM. Marion, Ohio, December 29. Congressman Kelly, n member'of the Naval Affairs Committee of the Houso of Representatives, af'.br consulting Mr, Harding regarding naval matters, said that the Republican leaders intend to scrap ilr. Daniels's proposals for naval expansion, and to authorise no now ships. They will reduce tho 1921 appropriations to-fifty million ■ dollars below the 1920 figures. and reduce the Navy personnel to 100,000.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable AeslJ.