AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1927, Page 3

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

[Australian & X.Z. Cable Association.] BRITAIN BACKS AMERICA. COR INTO, Nicaragua) Keb. 28. ‘‘lf necessary, Britain will be the first nation to recognise the Diaz Government alter the United States,” the British Charge D’Affaiies, .Mr Patterson, declared alter a conference with Captain Becky, Commander of the British cruiser “Colombo.” The British colony is jubilant at the arrival of the "Colombo.” COURT APPEAL. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. The Supreme Court upheld the Circuit Court in appeals against the decision (cabled on April 1, 1020) ol cancelling the leases of the ElkhilL naval reserve, on the grounds of fraud, permanently depriving Doheny ol valuable oil fields and compelling him to pay the Government approximately ten million dollars, lor the oil alreauv taken from them.

INVITATION ACCEPTED. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. The British Note said: J-’His -Majesty’s Government > n Great Britain, received with cardial sympathy, the invitation of the Government, of the United States of America, to take part in. the conversation at Geneva on the further limitation ol naval armament. The views of His Majesty’s Government upon the special geographical position of the British Empire, the length of litw inter-imperial communications, and the necessity for protection of its food supplies, are .well-known, and together with special conditions and requirements of other countries, who were invited to participate in the conversation, must be taken into account. II is Majesty’s Government, nevertheless, is prepared to consider to what extent the principle adopted at Washington can be carried further, either as regards the ratio of different classes of ships between various [lowers, or other important ways. They, therefore, accept the invitation of the Government of the United States of America, and will do their lest to further the success of the proposed conversation. They would, however, observe, that the relationship of such a conversation to the proceedings oF a preparatory commission at Geneva. would require careful adjustment.”

BRITAIN’S REPLY. (Received this day at 10.15 a.in:) WASHINGTON, February 28. Britain has accepted -Mr Coolidge’s proposals for a five Power naval limitui.on conference. The Stale Department -officials in making public the British Note, said it considered it was a categorical acceptance. The Note said the matter of ratios and the rela lion of conference to the preparatory disarmament commission would require adjustment. The earlier rejection ol the plan by France and Italy has turned the Administration’s hope to the alternative Coolidge plan for a three Power pact with Britain and Japan, and therefore informal negotiations for an agreement on these lines are expected to begin soon, though Washington officials are only mildly optimistic regarding its success. LONDON, February 28.

Sir A. Chamberlain, in the Commons, said the British reply, accepting Mr Coolidge’s invitation emphasises the Empire’s special geographical situation. Nevertheless Britain would consider the extension of tfic principles adopted at Washington to the ratio of different classes of ships between the various Powers. All the Dominions concurred in the reply except the Irish Free State, which did nut reply.