NAVAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1927, Page 2

NAVAL CONFERENCE

THE BREAK DOWN AT GENEVA. A FRIENDLY FINALITY. HOPES FOR FUTURE. (Australim & N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) GENEVA, Aug. L The Plenary session was held this afternoon. After a re-statement- of each side of the ease, Mr Gibson (America) announced lie was unable to agree and the Conference broke up. A joint statement issued mentions all the points upon which agreement was reached and failed. This shows tin* three Powers agreed to adjourn tire present conference until an opportune time to resume work. Meantime they continue to study the questions opened

up at Geneva. The statement concludes with a coins lnnii declaration of friendship and mutual understanding between the three Powers as at the opening.

The statement adds: “The difficulties experienced in dealing with the cruiser class prove this problem will bo such as to render an adjournment desirable until tbe Governments have tlie opportunity of giving further consideration to the question and tlie various methods suggested for its solution.”

The conference closed in the most friendly atmosphere after a few complimentary words by ATr Rridgeman (Britain) and Baron Saito (Japan) in favour of Air Gibson (U.S.A.), who returned thanks. Mr Bridgman, in a statement, emphasised lie was speaking on behalf of the Governments of Britain. India and the Dominions. He said he was glad the conference was aide to agree as regards the guns to be borne by destroyers and submarines, but regarding tlie tonnage, be said the tonnage agreed to in each ease exceeded tbe British figures. Referring to tlie cruiser problem. Air Bridgeton n sain although Britain explained why tlf<rf wanted a number of small cruisers, they failed to understand the reasons for the American delegation demanding so many large cruisers, or so many armed with eight-inch guns. WASHINGTON. Aug. A.

Mr Kellogg does not consider the laii'ure of tin* Geneva Conference to reach an agreement is final. He feels confident- the work done there will make it possible after consultation between tho Governments concerned for a basis to he found that they will reconcile the divergent views and lead to an early conclusion and an agreement for the limitation of auxiliary naval vessels.

NAA’AL EQUALITY. AMERICA’S OBJECT. WASHINGTON. Aug. 3. Representative Butler. Chairman of the U.S.A. House of Representatives Naval Committee, states: The disposition of the ng-xt United States congress. in the event of the failure of the* Geneva Naval Conference, will be fn build a navy in accordance with

America's needs. He said: “This country will necessarily want a navy as strong as that of Britain’s. It has tho same need, and it must take its place alongside that Power. | cannot help but anticipate' the* failure of the Conference at this time, and if a failure comes, then we should build enough small ships, and also make our large ships

lie o'r,.,.*ns we 1 ■* agreed to at lhe Washington Conference. I greatly deplore the necessity, cut America did not create it.” Representative Butler then launched out into ail attack upon Britain, lie asked: “What is tho true reason why England is unwilling to accept the. existing ratio for small ships, whereas she so quickly accepted that nil in lor the larger ones?” Representative Butler also asks; “What character of people does England anticipate "ill attack her trade lines?” BRITISH TO EXPLAIN ATTITUDE. GENEVA. Aug. 4. It is learned that besides the Japanese proposals, tlu* British also forwarded a scheme, though it is feared that there is little likelihood of its acceptance. Tt is known that most earnest efforts were made last evening to avoid to-day’s meeting taking the form of a complete break up. It is also certain that the British strongly opposed tld' proposals for the issue of a communique, instead of holding a plenary session, as they want to make their attitude most widely known.

Contrary to earlier rejjorts, a plenary sitting of the Xaval Conference lias been fixed for three o’clock this afternoon in the Hotel Berques. Ibis decision was reached at a conlercncc of the “Big Six’’: Mr W. C. Bridgeman, Lord Cecil. Mr Gibson. Admiral •Tones. Counts lshii and Satio, at a meeting in a, jirivate residence oil the fashionable quarter, which broke up at midnight.

Mr Gibson (X.S.A.), on leaving, said: “We have simply decided on the agenda, and have jiledged ourselves not to give any further information. It is still imjxissible to state if today’s meeting will be the last, or if negotiations will proceed oil the basis of the Japanese proposals. It is asserted in Japanese circles that this meeting will be the last, but this is not confirmed by either the British or American delegations.

BRITAIN” BLAMED

XEW YORK. Aug. 3

On the eve of the jdenarv session at Geneva, it can truly be said that America lias resigned itself to a complete collapse of the Conference. A forecast of Mr Gibson’s speech to-morrow indicates that it will be conciliatory in tone, but that it mil nevertheless assert that the Tinted States literally has traded out the spirit of tlie Washington Treaty by her great sacrifice, and that had the same ratio as that fixed by battleships at Washington been adopted at Geneva for the auxiliary warships would have lessened the naval expenditure for the World Powers, and would have resulted in a better international understanding, and one looking to a more jiermanent jionce.

The comment from public figures hero tins continued to show a “diehard” attitude. The overwhelming opinion in America is that Britain is to blame for the Geneva failure. ft, is interesting to note that the American editorial comment has very greatly ceased. Even the Xew. York Times, which was hitherto conspicuous by its strong supjKirt of the British contention, will have no leading article on the Conference in to-morrow’s issue.