AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1927, Page 2

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

fAustralian & N.Z. Cablo Association.]

LIMITATION OF A RAIA A 1 ENT S. WASHINGTON. March 15

President Coolidge declared ho does not eon tempi ate inviting Canada, and oilier British Dominions to the proposed Geneva. Naval Limitations Conference. He assumes the proposal, as made to Great Britain, is agreeable to the Dominions and he understands that the British Government conferred with them before acceptance.

POSTPONED. NEW YORK. March 15. A message front Kansas City states the wheat pool conference originldly schedtiled for 16th March has been postponed till sth April. U.S.A. DISARAIAAIENT INVITATION. WASHINGTON, -March 16. The State Department has published the text of a memorandum that was delivered to the Italian and French Foreign Ministers on March 14th, answering their replies <>n the disarmament proposal.

The department says regarding the fear expressed by the French Government that sueli negotiations would risk compromising the success ol the work of the Preparatory Commission at Geneva. that the United States expressed the opinion that all appropriate measures taken by the large naval powers cannot hut contribute towards facilitating the work of that Commission. The Department also expressed the opinion that, far from undermining the authority of the League, such conversations would he of great service to that body, in advance, towards a solution of the difficult problems. The Governments of Britain and Japan have now acceded to the proposal of the United States, which, therefore, has decided to enter into conversations with these powers. r lhc United States hopes both Italy and France will be represented in order to be cognizant with any agreements.

The memorandum also points out that United States had no preconceived ideas regarding a definite ratio of limitation of the French and Italian tonnage and says; “Wo do not desire to open ill) the question already settled by tho Treaty, but we wish to point out that other questions relative to the limitation of naval armaments are open.”

The memorandum adds that in the projected negotiations each Power would have the privilege of taking any position it thinks best for its protection as a basis for negotiations.

Referring to Italy’s refusal on the ground of her geographical position, the opinion is expressed that agreement for a partial limitation of armaments could expose no Rower to any danger from the navies of Powers not included in such understandings, since no agreement is contemplated which would not he subjected to reconsidered revision. Mr Coolidge declared that lie does not contemplate inviting Canada and other British dominions to the proposed Geneva Naval Limitations Conference. He assumes that the proposal as made to Britain is agreeable to the Dominions, and understands that the British Government conferred with them before acceptance.