DISARMAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1925, Page 3

DISARMAMENT.

A NOTEWORTHY ARTICLE

(Received this day at 10.0 n.m.) LONDON, Dee. 11. Mr Archibald Hurd, in a noteworthy article in the ‘‘Daily Telegraph’’ advocated /that tlie next International Conference should la; concerned with disarmament, following up the Washington Con fgere nee. Ho says: “The signing of tin - I/carno Pact has opened the door to a new world. Britain has already cut down her navy to lhe hone. Whereas she possessed sixty-seven effective capital shi|)« in March. 1911, she now has only eighteen. The British Army also is far smaller than in 15)13, though Britain is responsible for the defence of a quarter of the earth’s surface and a population of >150,009,(100, to which must lie added her agreement to help to defend the Rhine frontier.”

“During tlic Washington Conference hopes were entertained Hint if Britan sot limits to !'<*• first lino of defence, otlicr lint ions would ;i|'iw to restrict their armies and air lories. I nfortnmitely, these antirri]>:iti<uis have not liecn fulfilled. It is specially pitiful that the nations have reserved complete liberty to develop the two primary enemies of surface ships, namely, submarines and aeroplanes. Whereas Britain is building six .submarines, the United States has twelve. Japan twen-ty-eight and France lilly-tivo under construction, or projected.” “When the next International Conference assembles it should begin proceeding where the Washington Cnnlerenee left off, remembering that the Washington Treaty pressed more hardly on Britain than on any other country as Britain must defend her cargo boats hv means of surface ships; moreover, tile Washington instrument was drawn lip to protect neutrals and noncombatants at sea, but it was uni ratified.”

‘‘The- new atmosphere, due to Locarno, may make possible in 192(>. what was impossible in 15)21