DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1927, Page 3

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

(Australinn A- X.Z. Cable Association.) GENEVA, .1 line 2:L The more one learns of tin* events behind the scenes, the more obvious it becomes that Britain lias entirely taken over the initiative and driving force from the Baited States, though the latter is the convening power. It is no secret, that the American naval delegates, in their talks with the American, British ami foreign pressmen, separately or collectively, have cut an indifferent figure compare ! Lord Jollieoe. 'Admira's Field and Eger ton. They are Britain’s ‘‘liig Three” and tin* full detailed grasp they have shown of every aspect of the naval positions, present and future, of all three J’owers, lias created a most favourable impression upon -publicists and journalists. The plain fact emerges that Britain bail the most complete and thorough study of the problem in readiness for a Navy l)isarmament Conference of In’r own tailing before President Coolidge issued bis invitations. On the other hand, the Fnited States came here with ill-prepared and •undigested schemes. Nobody, 'therefore, was surprised to learn that Admiral Field was immediately appointed chairman of the technical r tend tee. An unfortunate i ompari-on ,as between the calibre of the American naval personnel a.s against that of Britain is shown by the former’s supports of r red herring that somebody rais'd that Britain, with her vast morcanti’e marine. can most quickly acquire the equivalent of an increased cruiser strength by mounting guns rn her liners.

Though the Americans wiM not admit it, the real issue behind the Tinted States’ desire for cruiser strength is her back of naval bases throughout the world, ami her consequent feeling that site must have a wider range of ships than Britain with her bases in every ocean.

At present the conference is scetionally carrying on conversations at various hotels. Specialists are dor’ing with cruisers and other teelmie-d owstions affecting destroyers nsd submarines. The technicians are cxnceted le report on the 'basis of agreed fee's almost immediately, when the Powers ■will he in possession of information a to the position of each regarding the auxiliaries built, 'building, or authorised. Britain’s policy is frankness. Her ultimate desire to induce France and Italy to join Ihe convention is shown by the fact that observers of those nations have been admitted fo the proceedings of the technical committee. Sir far, however, this lias not modified the sarcasm of the French ipress. “Le Temps’’ is moderately critical, but the more popular newspapers do not hesitate to congratulate themselves on not joining in the Geneva. farce. The French papers are cynically declaring, “When the end comes, wo know what to do!”

JAPAN’S OBJECTION. TOKIO, June

'A high naval officer frankly gave the •naval view of the Geneva proposals. Ho described the British plan as a noble plan, hut he did not conceal the Japanese dislike for many of its proisions. The chief objection, is the long ago limit for ships. Japan considers a. cruiser 24 years old of little fighting value. Japan does not object to a reduction in the size ef capital ships, hut she sees no reason for a. reduction in their gun calibre. Japan, he-said, could not accept the five-live-lhree ratio in IO.OOJ-ton cruisers and the limtation of the other cruiser armaments to six-inch guns. Japan does not question Britain's right to build a. »Singapore Base, and she certainly does not expect war with Britain. Nevertheless, Singapore brings tho Third British Battle Fleet to the .Western Pacific, and, it greatly inLcroasea the British Fleet’s mobility, ..which factors cannot he excluded in calculating the naval strength of Britain. Japan will not make the .Singapore Base an issue, hut it is impossible to ignore it in the discussions.

SUBMARINE LLAriTS. LONDON. Jump 23. Dio Morning Post’s Genova correspondent states : The experts, in searcliiiiK for a common ground from which to begin building up an agreement, have followed the line of least resistance l>y tackling submarines, whereon an ngreenint is likely by the weekend on the basis of decreeing two types. This compromise is the result of the tact and skill of the British experts. The next step will he the destroyers.

GENEVA, Juno 24. Yesterday was devoted to exchanges of views. Mr Qibsoit (America) lengthily interviewed Mr W. C. Bridgeman (Britain), concerning the main lines of the British and American schemes, and the planning of the work of the Conference. There is a note of optimism in all three camps. British official circles intimated a plenary session is expected early next week. Mr Gibson, interviewed, said: “There is no cause for pessimism. AA’e are trying to find a common denominator. There are still many dumplings to swallow, but wo are sure to arrive at an agreement concerning auxiliary ships.” Inside the Naval Experts Committee the Japanese are persistent questioners. The British experts have answered their inquiries asked about the proposed lengthening of the lives of warships. The British experts replied that experience had. shown that a cruiser’s hull remained in good condition, much longer than the present replacement periods. With two overhauls and new sets of boilers, they would last nearly a quarter of a century. This was one of the most effective ways of reducing the taxpayers’ burden. The same applied to the lengthening of the periods of service of destroyers and submarines. Admirals Field and Egerton vigorously championed the British suggestion for further reductions in the size and gun power oT oruisers on the ground that every Power had built lip to the Washington maximum cruiser limit. They emphasised that the balance would not be changed because the Washington ratios were maintained, though the maximum size and power of cruisers ' were reduced. Tho American experts, in answer to the Japanese inquiries, admitted they were proposing to exempt from the purview of the present Conference, firstly, surface naval vessels under six hundred tons; secondly, surface combatant vessels between six hundred and three thousands tons and under 17 knots ; thirdly, all vessels not built as fighting ships, provided they did not mount guns over five and a half inches. This is clearly aimed at the British wartime practice of mounting six inch, guns on their liners. The object of considering the cruiser and destroyer tonnage totals together was to prevent scrapping comparatively good ships of one class and replacing them with others of a different class. Mr AA r . C. Bridgeman (Britain) entertained at dinner the American delegation for the purpose of enabling £hem £o meet the Dominion represen-

tatives, who are working in the closest combination with the Admiralty experts. AMERICAN VIEW. NEW YORK, Juno 2.'b I lie “New York World,” in a remarkable leading arliile on the Genova Conference, says; “The Economic position and the growing power of the Fnited States render it certain that Britain cannot maintain in the twentieth century the same relative predominance in the world which she enjoyed in the nineteenth century. All that statesmen can do is to take up the measures which will render peaceable Britain’s descent from supremacy to parity, and America’s ascent to an equal share in the world affairs. The Washington Conference was the first, phrase, and the present Genevt Conference is the second of that great transition. God willing, other phases will, be a.s reasonable a.s these. The supreme test of .statesmanship in this generation will turn on whether the jairily of the Fnited States and Britain, which is inevitable, is to become an equality of co-operating partners, or a fonllict of rivals. That it ought to he an equality of co-opera-tion goes without saying, for rivalry between Kngli.-Pi-speaking peoples so equally matched in power would he tho worst disaster which could befall mankind.”