DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1927, Page 2

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

AMERICAN I'IMUCSAI,' i,Australian A N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON. June 18. The American proposals for the Geneva Disarmament Conference are completed. It is understood that they include the following:— (1) The establishment of the 5-5-3 ratio for auxiliary craft for Britain, the United States and Japan, similar to tho existing capital ship ratio and opposition to Japan’s desire ior a larger ratio for herself. (2) The retention of the 10,000 maximum tonnage for cruisers and opposition to the possible British and Japanese move for a 6060 or 8060 maximum.

(3) Tho retention of five-inch guns for cruisers, in opposition to the. possible British policy of the six-inch limit, which is suitable far merchant ships. (4) The acceptance, if necessary, ol American equality in the cruiser ratio, based on Britain’s present superior tonnage, thus necessitating ail American building programme instead ot a British reduction.

(5) Opposition t i any eflorl to reduce the tonnage capital of ships or re-defino the capital ol shins already fixed by the Washington Treaty. (6) 'Opposition to the possible Japanese move to discuss Pacific fortifications. (7) Refusal t; discuss the Panama Canal or so-called freedom of international waterways. It is understood J ’ t lie American policy as outlined is equally acceptable to both diplomatic and naval advisers. The administration, therefore, is not expected to incur naval displeasure this tint's, as it did with features ot the Washington Treaty.

Mr E. W. Gibson, head of the American delegation, will outline the proposal in a general form at Die opening of the conference.

potncabe s statement PAULS. June 19. Important references to the FrancoGerman relations were made by President Poincare at the unveiling of a war memorial at Lmieville. He said Franco was not seeking reasons to maintain perpetual hatred and resentment toward Germany, but why should high authorities in Germany carry on a campaign demanding a. revision ot the Dawes plan. If Germany stated definitely that no attempt would be made to regain Alsace-Lorraine, either by violence or by trick, if she reorganised her police, dissolved military societies and destroyed her fortresses, she would give the world guarantees of her pacific intentions and facilities for the reapproaohment that France would not be the last to desire.

ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. GENEVA, June 19. “The British Empire will present a united front at the Naval Conference,” said Mr W. C. Bvidgeman. in an interview.

Ho added that unity would be preserved through constant consultation. Asked whether there would be any restriction on the discussions, Mr Bridge-man said he regarded the agenda as covering everything concerning ships. When Britain accepted the invitation .'the made it clear that all sorts of limitations would he discussed.