AMERICA’S SUBMARINE GESTURE

Evening Star, Issue 19785, 8 February 1928, Page 3

AMERICA’S SUBMARINE GESTURE

BRITAIN WILLING IF ALL WILLING FRANCE THINKS IT ELECTION TALK Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 6. The opinion of well-informed circles on Mr Kellogg’s proposal to outlaw submarines, obtained by the ‘ Daily Telegraph,' emphasises the point that Britain, despite her possession of an efficient fleet of submarines, second to none, and forming an important link in Imperial defence, would gladly renounce them, provided all the countries followed the example, but if a single Bower stands out the scheme must collapse. The case of Franco is instanced, with ninety-one submarines in her current programme, France basing her main system of defence npon Diese craft. It is difficult to convince Britain that Franco and Japan would give them up The prevalent idea is that had America supported Britain at the Washington Conference the Anglo-American combined influence might have succeeded in securing universal abandonment.—A. and N'Z. Cable. The Baris correspondent of the ‘ Morning Post ’ says that many columns of newsprint are devoted to the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Fra non-American Treaty relations and the signature of the now arbitration treaty. M. Briand entertained the American Ambassador, and the Franco-American Society gave a large banquet in the evening. As though not desiring to spoil the occasion, the Press almost entirely ignores Mr Kellogg’s submarine ,-ngges fion. No official proposal on the subject has yet been received, hut France will undoubtedly reply that she is willing to destroy submarines if the United States destroys Dreadnoughts. Mr Kellogg's proposition, following on Die heels of (he new capital ship programme, appears to France to he merely a poor election dodge. Even M. LitvinofTs sweeping disarmament proposition at Geneva is regarded as preferable to Mr Kellogg's. M. LitvinofF, at any rate, suggested an allround reduction, and not a scheme hitting some navies severely and not tnnehing others.—A. and N.Z. Cable.