LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1927, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

(Australian & X.Z. Cable Association.)

THE ARMAMENTS DELEGATES. LOXDOX, July 24

Mr Rridgemnn and Lord Cecil attend a further meeting of the Cabinet on -Monday and return to Geneva on Tuesday fortified with the fullest Cabinet authority. If Cabinet approves Sir A. Chamberlain may fully review the naval disarmament policy in tlie Commons on Monday to provide an opportunity for a full debate. THE “ OBSERVER’S ” COMM EXT. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. Mr J. L. Garvin in the “ Observer,” states the Washington Conference was a model. Geneva, by comparison, is a j muddle. In the latter, though all were prepared before hand, our delegation was admirably equipped technicai’!y, but showed a want of insight into the physics of the American case. The Americans on the other hand were not equipped with knowledge, even of the elementary conditions of Rritish existence. America so far has suggested tonnage totals far too small for our requirements. Xobody can contest that we need far more small cruisers than America, hut Washington Xavy Board seems to want to compensate itself to the extent of tonnage thus used, with additional large eight inch gunned cruisers. If America reallv wants supremacy in the kind of cruisers vitally affecting hattlepower let her say so. Limitation conferences would then result in an ironic increase of American armaments, which nevertheless would lie within the four walls of the Washington Treaty. Britain would not have ground for complaint, hut would know how to accommodate himself to the new situation,