BIG-SHIP POLICY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 5

BIG-SHIP POLICY

DISCONTINUANCE RECOMMENDED

CRUSHING EXPENDITURE INVOLVED

By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) j /London, January 15. The "Daily Chronicle" states that the sub-committee of the Council of Imperial Defence, which has been inquiring into the question of new naval construction, has come to a momentous decision against the continuation of the big-ship policy, on the ground that it involves the country in naval expenditure lyhich is crushing, and which will make an effort to reduce the war debt! impossible. The enormous expense not only applies to battleships, but to docks and aircraft, and flotillas of cruisers and destroyers ‘necessary to protect the big vessels. The "Chronicle" adds: "A decision along these •lines may cost the Fleet the services of Admiral Beatty, but if he agrees to it, the sub-committee and Admiral Beatty will earn the gratitude of their countrymen."—Aus.-N\Z. Cable Assn.

HUGE COST OF NEXT BATTLESHIP

TEN .TIMES BRITAIN'S CONTBIBV-

TION TO LEAGUE. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.)

London, January 15.

Lurd Robert Cecil, speaking ai( Hitchin, said: "The League of Nations is costing Britain, .£50,000 a year. The next big •battleship will cost nine millions. if we save the building of one battleship we save ten times our whole contribution to ?he League of Nations. This ■would bo real economy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DIMINUTION OF ARMAMENTS RACE FOR NAVAL SUPREMACY DEPLORABLE SENATOR MILLEN’S VIEWS. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) ’ New York, January 15.

The New York "World,” which is conducting a disarmament campaign, has secured an exclusive statement from Senator Milieu, of Australia, in London. Senator Millen said it would be a sorry commentary on the heroic efforts of the nations, which fought in the war if we emerge from the horrors of the prolonged struggle only again to shackle ourselves to an intolerable burden of huge and costly armaments. A naval holiday or a diminution of armaments was an eminently desirable thing. Continued high expenditures ih| a new race for naval supremacy would be deplorable, not only because of the crashing financial burden, but also because it wouln breed distrust and irritation. How an understanding was to be reached, however, was by no means so easy of solution. Probably the most useful course now would be to create a healthy public sentiment favourable to such an understanding. This sooner or later would lead those in executive authority to find means for producing the necessary pro-posals.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INTERNATIONAL-DISARMAMENT PRESIDENT WILSON REQUESTED TO CALL CONFERENCE. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, January 15. The House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved of a resolution requesting the President to call an international disarmament conference. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.’ SIR AUCKLAND - GEDDES SAILS FOR ENGLAND CONNECTION WITH DISARMAMENT SUGGESTED. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m,) New York, January 15. Sir - Auckland Geddes has sailed for England to confer with Mr. Lloyd George and the Foreign Office. The British Embassy in Washington withheld the announcement of his intending departure until the vessel had sailed. There is much speculation regarding the object of his visit. It is suggested in some circles that he is going to discuss disarmament. Ho will return in February.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VOLUNTARY MJUTARY TRAINING FAVOURED BY MR. HARDING. (Rec. January 16, 5.5 p.m.) , New York, January J 5. Immediately following upon the Senate’s action in limiting the United States standing army to 156,000, Mr. Harding announced that he was opposed to compulsory military training, but at an early date the new Administration will establish a comprehensive system of voluntary training pf 100,000 men yearly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.