NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1927, Page 2

NAVAL CONFERENCE

(Australiin & N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, .July 31. Under a heading stating that any hope of salvaging the Naval Conference is remote the New York “ World ” prints a Washington despatch to the effect that the ex-United States Secretary of States, Mr IV. Hughes, who declined to head the American delegation at Geneva, might now consent to meet Lord Balfour in a renewal of the same spirit that prevaii'eil at the Washington Conference, in a supreme attempt to bring reconciliation out of the present muddle, if President Coolidge and Mr Baldwin do not take the case in their own hands.

The correspondent quotes some Senators as deeming it necessary to take the negotiations out of the hands ot practical statesmen. He says that the idea of war between the two nations

is taken seriously only by the naval men, who feel that they must base their calculations on such a contingeney. however remote.

JAPAN’S MOVE. GENEVA, July 30

Mystery surrounds the postponement of the plenary session. AH' the delegations are refusing to give the reason or to accept any individual responsibil-

It is understood, however, that Count Ishii (Japan) realising that a collapse of the Conference on Monday would h;ive,a disatrous effect on public opinion Inis’ urged on the other delegations the desirability of the postponement. This first would he to prepare public opinion and secondly for the pur|X>se of finding a formula-for a resumption of the conterence at some future date. Britain and the United States agreed to this.

AMERICANS NOT BUDGING. GENEVA, July 31. The head of the American Naval Delegation, Mr Gibson, informed the press that wliii'e the Americans accepted the postponement, they might equally as well have the plenary session on Monday or Tuesday if the other delegations had nothing to offer.

U.S.A. PROPOSAL. GENEVA, July 31

Mr Gibson (U.S.A. delegate) suggested tHe insertion of a political clause in the proposed naval treaty, providing that in the event of any one of the contracting Powers utilising its cruiser toonage in a manner that is considered prejudicial to the others, a conference should be called for a readjustment. and that, failing an agreement on this, the treaty would then automatically end.

It is understood that Mr Gibson informally submitted the suggestion to Mr W. C. Bridgeman before His recent departure for London. Although it did not fall on fertile ground, it wan formally presented on July 28tli.